The Louvre is strengthening its security following last year's theft of French crown jewels, with the museum's new director, Christophe Leribault, seeking to establish what he describes as a new "culture of security" across the institution. Leribault, who was appointed president-director of the Louvre in February 2026, outlined the museum's security efforts in an interview with the Financial Times. The measures form part of the museum's response to the October 2025 robbery and its wider modernization programme.
On October 19, 2025, two burglars broke into the Galerie d'Apollon and stole eight 19th-century jewels from the French Crown Jewels collection. The stolen pieces included jewellery associated with Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense, Queen Marie-Louise and Empress Eugenie. The Louvre estimated the value of the stolen jewellery at €88 million.
The jewels have not been recovered. The robbery exposed weaknesses in the Louvre's security infrastructure. An administrative investigation by France's Ministry of Culture found a long-term underestimation of the structural risk of theft and intrusion, as well as insufficient security equipment, particularly for external surveillance.
It also called for changes to security governance, procedures, equipment and staff training. At the same time, the ministry said the procedures and protocols had been followed by the museum staff present during the robbery and that the alarms had functioned. The museum had also received a security warning shortly before the robbery.
A confidential report dated August 29, 2025 identified security weaknesses, according to reporting by Le Monde. The report was issued about six weeks before the theft. The Louvre has since accelerated security work.
Measures include additional surveillance, perimeter protection, improvements to access points and stronger security coordination. The museum's security master plan is estimated by the Louvre at €80 million. The plan includes the modernization of security control posts, expanded perimeter protection and other technical measures, with implementation continuing through 2026 and beyond.
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