Results of the investigation
The investigation into the October attack on the Louvre found that the suspects left the museum approximately 30 seconds before law enforcement arrived. A review initiated by France’s Ministry of Culture also established that only one of two surveillance cameras near the point of entry was operational.
In the report presented during hearings of the Senate’s culture committee, it was noted that the control room did not have enough screens to view the feeds simultaneously, and that insufficient internal coordination led to the police initially arriving at the wrong address.
This underscores the overall inability of the museum, and its supervisory bodies, to resolve security issues
– Laurent Lafon
Museum security issues
The investigative team said the attackers had only seconds before the police and private security arrived, which made their retreat possible. The head of the team stressed simple measures that could have impeded the robbery, including modern CCTV systems, stronger protective glass and better internal coordination of staff.
Given those 30 seconds, Securitas guards or police officers in the car could have prevented the thieves' escape
– Noël Corben
Several inspections over the past ten years revealed significant gaps in the museum’s security system. A 2019 audit conducted by experts from the jewellery firm Van Cleef & Arpels noted that the riverside balcony was vulnerable and could be easily reached using extension ladders — which is exactly what the perpetrators used.
The recommendations were not heeded, as they would have allowed us to avoid this robbery
– Noël Corben
Corben also said that museum director Laurence des Cars was not informed about the audit commissioned by her predecessor Jean‑Luc Martinez, and that there was a lack of coordination between the two government-appointed administrators.
Timeline and consequences
Police believe they have detained all four suspects who fled the scene on motorcycles. Investigators estimate the robbery in the Apollo Gallery lasted about ten minutes.
- On October 19 four people posing as museum staff entered the Louvre, damaged display cases in the Apollo Gallery and stole nine pieces of jewellery; during their escape they dropped Empress Eugénie’s crown, set with 1,354 diamonds.
- Total losses are estimated at €88 million; the stolen items were not insured, so no payout is expected.
- After the theft part of the jewellery collection was moved to the underground vault of the Bank of France.
- On November 25 the Paris police arrested the last suspect in the case.
