Louvre Reopens Amidst Political Scrutiny Following $88 Million Jewelry Heist
The Louvre reopened after a $88 million jewelry theft, sparking political inquiry and public debate over museum security.
- • The Louvre reopened on October 22 after a three-day closure due to a jewelry theft valued at 88 million euros.
- • Laurence des Cars, Louvre's president, is set to testify before the Senate on the security breach.
- • Culture Minister Rachida Dati admitted security weaknesses in public access, not inside the museum, and assigned a deputy to oversee heritage site security.
- • The parliamentary inquiry into the incident was postponed, drawing criticism from some lawmakers.
Key details
On October 22, 2025, the Louvre Museum reopened its doors to the public for the first time following a dramatic jewelry theft that occurred the previous Sunday. Four thieves executed a swift heist in approximately seven minutes, stealing eight crown jewels valued at an estimated 88 million euros, a loss described by prosecutor Laure Beccuau as "extremely spectacular." The theft targeted pieces from Napoleon and the Empress's collection within the Apollo Gallery, which remains closed for the ongoing investigation.
The reopening alleviated the concerns of many visitors, some of whom expressed relief that iconic artworks like the Mona Lisa were untouched, but approximately 30,000 daily visitors were affected by the closure and required ticket refunds since the museum had been fully booked weeks in advance. The museum’s president-director Laurence des Cars is facing intense scrutiny and is scheduled to testify before the Senate’s culture commission to explain how such a brazen crime occurred in the world’s most visited museum. Prior to her testimony, journalists from Le Monde were available to take public questions about the incident.
In parallel to these developments, the political fallout continues. Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the need to strengthen security measures, particularly public access controls, acknowledging that while internal security was robust, it was the public areas and freight elevator access that were exploited by the criminals. Dati also commissioned Deputy Jérémie Patrier-Leitus to lead a new mission on securing heritage sites nationwide, a move that delayed the creation of a parliamentary inquiry into the theft. This postponement drew criticism from several deputies who argued that a commission would have broader investigative authority.
Trade unions have condemned reductions in security staff and delays in deploying protective equipment, with the Court of Auditors pointing to systemic underestimations of the risks to national cultural treasures. President Emmanuel Macron declined Laurence des Cars’s reported offer of resignation, expressing support as the investigation and political response unfold.
This high-profile incident has ignited a broad political and media discourse on the protection of France's cultural heritage while the hunt for the four thieves continues.