Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Court of Audit Rebukes Louvre Over Security Failures as Museum Begins Overhaul

The report faults years of spending priorities, urging a shift toward essential safety and maintenance.

Overview

  • The Cour des comptes' final audit finds persistent delays in security upgrades and chronic underinvestment in maintenance during 2018–2024.
  • Spending data show €105.4 million for acquisitions and €63.5 million for gallery refits versus €26.7 million for maintenance and €59.5 million for building restoration.
  • The audit revises the Macron-backed renovation to about €1.15 billion, warning the plan risks diverting money from urgent safety needs.
  • Culture Minister Rachida Dati has directed Laurence des Cars to review governance and create a senior security directorate, with an urgent board meeting scheduled Friday.
  • Des Cars says the museum’s security master plan starts today with video-surveillance upgrades, while police continue the October 19 theft investigation; four suspects are jailed and the jewels are still missing.