Louvre Museum Takes Years To Fix Security Issues

JAKARTA - The Louvre Museum in Paris, France began a security audit a decade ago, but the recommended increase will only be completed in 2032, a state auditor said in a report on Thursday compiled before last month's robbery.

Four robbers took action in broad daylight and managed to get away with 102 million US dollars worth of jewelry, raising doubts over the credibility of the museum, which is most visited in the world as the guardian of its various works. Officials admit that its security is inadequate.

Quotes from the report, published Thursday by the national audit office, known as the Cour des Comptes, have been leaked in the media days after the raids.

Only 39 percent of museum rooms have cameras in 2024, according to the report, and security audits began in 2015, which found museums were not adequately monitored or prepared to face the crisis, only generating tenders for security jobs at the end of last year.

"This project will take several years to complete, which according to the museum, is expected to be completed in 2032," the report said.

The museum's inability to renew its infrastructure is exacerbated by excessive spending on buying artwork, which is only a quarter of which is on display for the public, and post-pandemic re-launch projects, as well as ticket inefficiency and fraud.

Even development initiatives announced this year are not based on feasibility studies, both technical and financial, and are not considering staff needs, the report said.

The report provides 10 recommendations including a decrease in the number of acquisitions by museums, an increase in ticket prices, and infrastructure updates and digital governance.

Facing "lack of chronic investment in information systems", the auditor said, "the museum must strengthen its internal control function, which is still underdeveloped for an institution as large as a Louvre".

Although investigators have indicted four suspects for their involvement in the raid, the treasure has not been found.

"The theft only strengthens some of the considerations listed in the report," chief auditor Pierre Moscovici told reporters on Thursday.

"The theft of this crown jewel is without a doubt a deafening sign of danger: this speed (security increase) is far from adequate," said Moscovici.

"The authorities are now aware that they have heard of this danger sign," he said.

He said the Louvre had enough funds to increase it needed, and "now had to do it without failing".

After the robbery, French officials said the Louvre would implement additional security, including anti-intrusion devices and vehicle anti-collision barriers on surrounding public roads, by the end of the year.

In January, amid growing complaints about chaos in the museum, France launched an ambitious development project involving a new space dedicated to Leonardo's Mona Lisa, the world's most famous painting, and new security measures to protect its visitors and valuable exhibitions.

In a written statement published by the audit office, Culture Minister Rachida Dati said he agreed with the urgency of technical work and reaffirmed calls for quick corrective action.

Meanwhile, Louvre Directormen des Cars said in the same document, he supports most of the auditor's recommendations but insists that museum's long-term transformation plan is critical to addressing its structural challenges.