PARIS – In a direct response to a daring October break-in, the Louvre Museum began installing heavy-duty security bars on Tuesday to seal the entry point used by burglars to steal a portion of France’s crown jewels.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A Brazen “Seven-Minute” Heist
On October 19, four intruders orchestrated a lightning-fast raid that exposed massive vulnerabilities in the world’s most famous museum. The group used a commercial mover’s lift to reach a balcony outside the Apollo Gallery, smashed through a window, and used angle grinders to cut through display cases. The entire operation lasted less than seven minutes, with the thieves escaping on scooters driven by waiting accomplices.
Closing the Gaps
The heist sparked intense criticism of the museum’s management, as officials admitted there was zero camera coverage of the balcony or the exterior walls involved. To address these “glaring gaps,” the Louvre is implementing the following:
- Physical Barriers: A crane was used Tuesday to install a massive security grille over the balcony’s glass doors.
- Surveillance Expansion: 100 new security cameras will be installed around the perimeter by next year.
- Increased Patrols: A mobile police unit has been permanently stationed at the roundabout near the iconic glass pyramid.
A Museum Under Pressure
The theft is the latest in a series of setbacks for the institution. Recent weeks have seen the museum struggling with:
- Infrastructure Issues: A gallery adjacent to the heist site was closed due to structural instability.
- Environmental Damage: A water leak recently damaged rare books in the Egyptian antiquities department.
- Labor Disputes: Multiple partial closures have occurred due to staff strikes over working conditions.
While police have identified eight suspects linked to the crime, the $102 million treasure trove remains missing. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Louvre maintained that it is “learning all the lessons” from the incident as it overhauls its security architecture.
