Louvre director resigns after heist highlights security failures

France 24

by FRANCE24

February 25, 2026

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Louvre director resigns after heist highlights security failures

The director of the Louvre Museum in Paris has resigned following a high-profile art heist that exposed significant security flaws at one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions. The incident occurred earlier this month when thieves stole several masterpieces, including works by Pablo Picasso and Paul Gauguin, from a storage facility outside the museum. The breach raised serious questions about the Louvre’s security measures, prompting an investigation and ultimately leading to the director’s resignation. The heist itself was shocking in its execution. Despite the Louvre being one of the most secure museums globally, the thieves were able to bypass multiple layers of security, including alarms and surveillance systems. The stolen artworks, estimated to be worth millions, were taken during a time when the museum was less heavily guarded. This incident has sparked widespread concern among art collectors, insurers, and cultural institutions worldwide, as it highlights vulnerabilities in even the most secure facilities. The resignation of the Louvre’s director comes amid growing public scrutiny and criticism over the museum’s security protocols. France’s culture minister has vowed to review the museum’s safety measures to prevent future incidents. The fallout from this heist could have far-reaching implications for how cultural institutions protect their collections, as well as how they manage public trust in light of such breaches. This event not only sheds light on the challenges faced by museums in safeguarding their treasures but also underscores the broader issue of art security in an increasingly interconnected world. The theft has reignited debates about the value placed on art and whether existing security measures are sufficient to protect against sophisticated criminals. As global demand for art continues to rise, so too does the incentive for thieves to target high-value collections. In a statement, the Louvre’s board expressed its commitment to ensuring that such an incident

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Originally published on France 24 on 2/25/2026