France's top audit body faults Louvre for neglecting security upgrades

PARIS - France's supreme audit institution has accused the Louvre Museum of prioritizing public appeal and neglecting essential maintenance and security, according to its report released Thursday.

The French Court of Auditors said the museum "prioritized high-profile and attention-grabbing operations" while delaying the modernization of its buildings and technical infrastructure, notably its security systems.

Pierre Moscovici, the court's first president, said at a press conference that the recent jewelry theft at the Louvre was a "deafening alarm bell," exposing the slow progress of long-needed renovations.

On Oct. 19, four burglars broke into the world-renowned museum in broad daylight, stealing jewelry valued at about 88 million euros (101.51 million US dollars) before fleeing on motorcycles. Four people, including three suspected of direct involvement in the heist, have been charged and placed in custody. However, the stolen items remain missing.

Although drafted before the theft, the court's report, which reviewed the museum's management from 2018 to 2024, urged the institution to first overhaul its visitor policy, which remains fragmented at present.

The report pointed out that the Louvre faced multiple challenges during the review period, including receiving over 10 million visitors in 2018, the COVID-19 pandemic, and aging infrastructure.

It suggested that the museum change the policy of allocating 20 percent of ticket revenue to art acquisitions, and instead tackle urgent priorities such as building renovations and security. According to the report, while the Louvre added 2,754 works to its collection over the past eight years, fewer than one in four are currently on display.

In response, Louvre management said it accepted "most of the recommendations" but argued that the report "failed to acknowledge" several recent measures, particularly in security, according to local media.