In a stunning revelation, a Louvre museum employee has disclosed that the password to the world-famous institution’s video surveillance system was merely the word “Louvre” at the time of a daring $102 million jewel heist last month. This startling disclosure has further fueled concerns over the Louvre’s security measures and its ability to protect its priceless artworks and artifacts.
The brazen theft, which took only seven minutes from start to getaway, has drawn intense scrutiny to the museum’s security protocols. Laurence des Cars, the Louvre’s president and director, acknowledged that while the security system within the targeted Apollo Gallery functioned properly, there was a “weakness” in the museum’s perimeter security due to “under investment.” Adding to the embarrassment, des Cars admitted that the Louvre’s security situation was “appalling” when she took office in 2021, despite her vow to make it a top priority.
This shocking revelation has cast a shadow over the Louvre’s reputation as a bastion of cultural preservation and security, and it serves as a wake-up call for the museum to implement robust and comprehensive security measures to safeguard its priceless collections and regain the public’s trust.