Louvre director acknowledges failures in museum's surveillance system

(MENAFN) Louvre Museum Director Laurence des Cars admitted on Wednesday that the museum’s external surveillance systems were inadequate, acknowledging security weaknesses exposed by a recent jewelry theft, according to reports.

Speaking before the French Senate, des Cars stated, “We are facing a terrible failure at the Louvre, for which I take my share of responsibility.” She added that she had offered her resignation, which was declined by the culture minister.

To strengthen security, des Cars proposed a series of measures, including reinforcing the perimeter with anti-vehicle barriers, expanding and upgrading CCTV coverage across the museum, and requesting that the Interior Ministry establish a police station on site.

While defending the Louvre’s current €80 million ($92.89 million) security plan, she rejected claims from a recent report suggesting “persistent delays” in its implementation. French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly called for a faster rollout of the museum’s security upgrades during Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.

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