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Franceurged the court of auditors louvre The museum must accelerate its security modernization plans as a priority, with a report conducted before the October 19 jewelery heist citing major delays in refurbishing the world’s most visited museum.
Thursday’s report from the Cour des Comptes comes after a series of failures and security issues emerged following the $102 million worth of loot. Crown Jewels Which shocked the world. The thieves used a truck-mounted basket lift to gain access to the Apollo Gallery window and made away with all the merchandise within minutes.
Focusing on the period 2018–2024, the report said museum investment prioritized “visible and engaging functions” such as purchasing new pieces of art and improving the visitor experience. This was “at the expense of maintenance and renovation of buildings and technical installations, especially security and protection systems,” it said.
The report said a plan to modernize security equipment was being studied since 2018 but its implementation continued to be delayed. The actual technical work was to begin the following year and full implementation was planned by 2032.
According to the report, the cost of security modernization is estimated at 83 million euros ($95 million), of which only 3 million euros ($3.5 million) has been invested between 2018 and 2024.
The museum said that over the past three years, 134 digital cameras have been installed throughout the museum to supplement or replace older cameras, the report said.
The Court of Auditors, an independent body, recommended that the Louvre focus on priorities including bringing the museum’s technical facilities, especially safety and security, up to standards and cutting its expenses in other areas. The report said this meant reducing art acquisitions and saving on renovation projects for museum rooms.
The decade-long “Louvre New Renaissance” plan, which includes security improvements, was launched earlier this year. It is estimated that it will cost up to 800 million euros ($933 million) to modernize the infrastructure, reduce congestion and provide relief. mona lisa A dedicated gallery by 2031.
Last week, Culture Minister Rachida Dati said the Louvre would install anti-ramming and anti-intrusion devices on roadsides over the next two months, after a provisional investigation found a “chronic, structural underestimation” of the risk of theft. Paris Landmark.
Dati acknowledged “security shortcomings”, refused the resignation of the museum director, and cited four failures: low risk, low security, inappropriate administration and “obsolete” protocols.
Four suspects were arrested last week in the Louvre robbery, three of whom are believed to be members of a four-man team who were filmed using a basket lift to reach the museum window. They face preliminary charges of theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy. Officials said the jewelry has not been recovered.