In Paris, the Louvre is preparing for a major overhaul of its security system after the Oct. 19 theft, the Court of Auditors’ warnings and the administrative investigation ordered by Culture Minister Rachida Dati. The board of directors of the public body that runs the Paris museum therefore met to analyze and detail the urgent measures announced by the ministry. The meeting made it possible to define a roadmap for the implementation of a renovation plan that affects both the surveillance structures and the internal governance of the museum, with the aim of ensuring more effective protection for the site and the millions of visitors who visit it each year.
During the meeting, BoD chairwoman and museum director Laurence des Cars recalled how the strengthening of the Louvre’s security had already begun in 2022 with the development of a new scheme of security installations (SDES: schéma directeur des équipements de sûreté). This strategic program aims to thoroughly modernize the security architecture of the entire museum domain. Planned interventions include the generalization of the video surveillance system along the entire perimeter of the complex, the complete renovation of the five control stations, the relocation of the central command post, and the integration of new dimensions related to cybersecurity.
As outlined by Des Cars, the first phase of this ambitious plan, estimated at a total of about 80 million euros, will be notified by December 2025. This phase concerns the renewal of the security device management infrastructure, a prerequisite for any substantial modernization. The second phase, which concerns the renovation and upgrading of checkpoints, will be awarded during 2026. The project is part of the broader transformation that the Louvre has been undertaking since 2022 to update its operations and technological equipment, with the aim of making the museum more resilient and adapted to the challenges of the 21st century.
In parallel with the long-term plan, the Board of Directors approved a number of urgent measures to be implemented immediately. The first concerns internal security governance. A new position of “Security Coordinator” will be established, directly attached to the museum’s presidency. This figure will be tasked with coordinating all actions related to security, both in terms of operational management in the field and technical and IT aspects. Alongside this new role, a steering committee dedicated to security will also be created, chaired by the chairperson-director herself and assisted by the Ministry of Culture’s High Official for Defense and Security. This committee will have to oversee the implementation of the SDES, ensuring that the planned timeframe, objectives and financial resources are met.
Operationally, the Louvre will strengthen the protection of the museum in cooperation with the police prefecture and the City of Paris. In the coming weeks, new security barriers and other distancing devices will be installed at sensitive points in public spaces surrounding the museum. At the same time, the perimeter surveillance program will be accelerated, including the installation of additional cameras throughout the Louvre domain. Also planned is the rapid implementation of anti-battle systems to protect the main entrances to the museum complex and the Tuileries Park.
The Council also resolved to immediately initiate a series of security-focused audits aimed at identifying and correcting any critical issues and updating risk mapping as soon as possible. These audits will form the basis for continuous improvement of internal procedures and protective technologies.
Another central plank of the plan concerns cooperation with police departments. Surveillance patrols in the areas surrounding the museum will be intensified, and consultations with the police will continue to assess a possible increase in police presence at the site. Collaboration between the Louvre and the authorities will be strengthened on both a human and technological level so as to improve response capacity in case of emergencies or specific threats.
The package of measures also includes an increase in the technical and human resources available to the museum. The budget for staff training will be increased by 20 percent to update mandatory courses and adapt them to new security requirements. Internal communication tools and transmission equipment used daily by security teams will also be improved. Changes to protocols and operating procedures are planned, with the aim of making them more effective and coordinated.
In parallel, the museum will create a Cybersecurity Operations Center, dedicated to the protection of IT infrastructure and sensitive data, in line with the priorities identified in the SDES plan. The focus on the digital dimension reflects the growing importance of cybersecurity even for cultural institutions, which are increasingly exposed to risks related to intrusion, sabotage or attempts to manipulate management systems.
The overall strengthening of the Louvre’s security comes at a time of profound transformation for the museum, which is preparing to embark on a new phase of its development. Indeed, the “Louvre - Nouvelle Renaissance” project, announced by the President of the Republic in January 2025, is an opportunity to address the many challenges facing the institution and to consolidate its central role in the cultural and symbolic life of France.
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| Louvre launches massive security plan after sensational theft |
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