Louvre President Warns Museum Faces Closure Without Major Security Overhaul

In an exclusive interview, Louvre president-director Christophe Leribault outlined the progress made since a daring robbery a year ago. Emergency safety measures launched before his February appointment are continuing, with fresh surveillance equipment, anti-theft posts and reinforced perimeter grids. A new security coordinator joined the team in July, reporting directly to Leribault.

He highlighted the challenge of securing an entire Parisian quarter that houses a historic monument, noting that months are not enough to fully implement the new security architecture. While the Louvre will not become a fortified vault, Leribault warned that without comprehensive adaptation, the museum could be forced to close. He also mentioned that the Apollo Gallery, the site of the theft, has been cleared of its collections, and other crown jewels have been removed for protection.