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On Friday, France’s culture minister announced that anti-ramming devices will be installed around the Louvre Museum by the end of the year, following a high-profile theft that has renewed concerns about security at the iconic site.
The plan comes after four suspects used a truck equipped with a hydraulic lift to breach a first-floor gallery during operating hours on October 19. They then used cutting tools to steal jewelry valued at approximately $102 million.
After reviewing an initial security assessment, Culture Minister Rachida Dati emphasized the urgency of implementing immediate measures. She stated, “For over two decades, there has been a long-standing underestimation of intrusion and theft risks at the Louvre. We cannot afford to continue like this.”
The report highlighted issues such as outdated security equipment and ineffective intrusion response protocols. Dati noted that while the museum’s internal security systems functioned properly on the day of the theft, significant security weaknesses exist outside the building.
To address some of these vulnerabilities, “anti-ramming” and “anti-intrusion” barriers are set to be installed before the year’s end, though details remain limited. Last week, Louvre Director Laurence des Cars mentioned that the first of several “anti-ramming” barriers was already being put in place outside the museum.
Authorities have arrested seven individuals in connection with the robbery, with two charged with theft and conspiracy. However, the stolen items, which include an emerald and diamond necklace once gifted by Napoleon I to his wife Empress Marie-Louise, and a nearly 2,000-diamond diadem that belonged to Empress Eugenie, have yet to be recovered.
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