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By Hollie Silverman
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Louvre Director Laurence des Cars has offered to resign following the daring theft of historic jewelry valued at 88 million euros ($102 million) from the Paris museum, referring to the heist as a "terrible failure" for the museum.
While giving testimony to the French Senate on Wednesday, des Cars said the museum's security "weaknesses" had been exposed by the theft.
The brazen heist, which took just minutes on a Sunday morning, has raised serious questions about the security of the world’s most visited museum and left French officials scrambling to account for lapses that allowed thieves to walk away with eight priceless crown jewels.
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Why It Matters
As the Louvre grapples with the fallout, the event has become a touchstone for broader concerns. The museum represents a symbol of French pride and culture; the loss of some of its most treasured royal artifacts has struck a blow to both.
The theft exposed security vulnerabilities, and as global media scrutinized both the museum and the government’s commitment to protecting art and history, the story resonated far beyond France's borders.
Authorities face pressure to recover the jewels before they are altered or destroyed, a fate experts warn could significantly diminish their historical and monetary value.
What To Know
On Sunday, a group of four hooded thieves broke into the Louvre by smashing a second-floor window, using a stolen movers’ lift to reach the museum’s Galerie d’Apollon.
Within minutes, the gang made off with eight pieces of jewelry from France’s royal collection, as confirmed by Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau. The estimated value of the stolen items stands at $102 million, though their loss is seen as immeasurable in cultural and historical terms.
Although the museum’s alarm system activated the moment the window was breached and police responded within three minutes, the thieves disappeared before authorities arrived.
Investigators later recovered DNA evidence at the scene, launching a search involving over 100 officers.
Security Weaknesses Exposed
During testimony on Wednesday, de Cars said all of the alarms and video systems were functioning properly, the BBC reported.
"We did not spot the arrival of the thieves early enough...the weakness of our perimeter protection is known," she said.
She described the cameras as aging and unable to cover the entire museum, explaining that the only camera surveying the Galerie d'Apollon, where the jewels were stolen, was facing west and failed to cover the balcony area where the thieves broke in.
Des Cars said that she offered to resign, but French Culture Minister Rachida Dati declined to accept her resignation.
Historic Art at the Louvre
The Louvre, originally built in the late 12th century as a royal residence, became a museum in 1793 following the French Revolution. Today, it houses globally renowned artifacts, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
The museum welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year and operates under tight security protocols.
French President Emmanuel Macron responded to the robbery by ordering an acceleration of enhanced security measures at the museum.
An ongoing six-year renovation, announced prior to the theft, is set to include additional investments in security and infrastructure upgrades.
What People Are Saying
Louvre Director Laurence des Cars testified before the French Senate’s culture committee on Wednesday: “It’s a terrible failure—this theft has exposed weaknesses in our protection system. I offered my resignation, but it has not been accepted.”
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told Europe 1: “There was a burglary at the Louvre, some of the most precious jewels in France were stolen. So obviously it’s a failure, there is nothing else I can say."
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati told the National Assembly, according to NBC News: “The Louvre Museum is much more than the largest museum in the world. It is the showcase of French culture and our shared heritage."
What Happens Next
The investigation remains ongoing, with French police conducting a widespread search and analyzing DNA evidence left at the scene. The Galerie d’Apollon will remain closed to the public during the probe.
Update 10/22/25, 1:23 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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