Paris’s Louvre Museum Implements New Measures to Secure Art Collection and Improve Tourist Experience, Get the Details Here

Published on November 20, 2025

After competitive security shortcomings surfaced following a brazen daytime burglary of the Louvre Museum in Paris, the renowned institution is embarking on an expansion of its security enhancements. In October 2025, burglars entered the museum’s Apollo Gallery before escaping with a collection of crown jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million). In response to the burglary, officials at the Louvre announced plans to implement the museum’s first-of-their-kind anti-intrusion and surveillance systems to protect and defend the artwork as well as the millions of annual patrons.

Louvre Museum Responds to Security Breach: New Measures Announced

In a bid to address the security concerns raised by the daring theft, the head of the Louvre Museum, Laurence des Cars, announced that the museum will implement a series of enhanced security measures, including the installation of 100 new surveillance cameras. These cameras, which will be operational by the end of 2026, will cover the entire museum complex, ensuring comprehensive protection of the museum’s surroundings. Additionally, new anti-intrusion systems will be put in place within two weeks to prevent unauthorized access to the museum buildings.

Des Cars described the anti-intrusion systems as essential tools to prevent intruders from approaching the museum’s exterior, though specifics about the technology remain under wraps. However, the overall objective is clear: to protect the Louvre’s priceless art collection, historical relics, and the safety of the millions of tourists who visit each year.

Des Cars stressed that these improvements were a direct response to the shock and emotional aftermath of the heist. “After the shock, after the emotion, after the assessment, it’s time for action,” she told the Committee of Cultural Affairs of the National Assembly. This statement underlines the urgency and the museum’s commitment to ensuring that such an incident does not happen again.

The Aftermath of the Heist: How the Robbery Was Carried Out

The October 19, 2025, heist at the Louvre shocked the world, raising serious questions about the museum’s security infrastructure. The thieves, using a freight lift, managed to break into the Apollo Gallery in less than 8 minutes. They used power tools to cut through display cases that housed the priceless crown jewels, an act that appeared to have caught the museum’s security by surprise.

Laurence des Cars provided new details about the robbery during her briefing. The tools used by the robbers were not typical for such heists — they were disc cutters, often used in construction to cut through concrete. The display cases in the Apollo Gallery, which were designed in 2019 to protect against attacks from inside the museum, were built to withstand the use of weapons but were not prepared for such heavy-duty cutting tools.

Footage from the museum’s cameras revealed that the display cases did their job and did not break apart, making it clear that the museum’s existing security measures were not entirely ineffective. However, the robbery was still successful due to the thieves’ ability to bypass the existing security measures. Des Cars emphasized that this breach highlighted the need for a more robust security system to protect the museum’s treasures from evolving threats.

Louvre Museum’s Ongoing Security Overhaul: A Decade of Modernization

The heist comes at a time when the Louvre is undergoing significant changes as part of its ambitious “Louvre New Renaissance” plan. Launched earlier this year, this 10-year project aims to modernize the museum’s infrastructure, improve the visitor experience, and address overcrowding issues. The Louvre’s estimated $933 million renovation plan includes upgrading security systems, expanding galleries, and providing the Mona Lisa with its own dedicated space by 2031.

Des Cars made it clear that the museum’s modernization efforts will also focus on increasing security to meet the demands of modern threats. The rise in international tourism to the Louvre, particularly in the wake of the pandemic recovery, has placed unprecedented pressure on the museum’s infrastructure, much of which is more than 40 years old. The Louvre was originally designed to accommodate 4 million visitors per year, yet in 2025, it has already surpassed 8 million, highlighting the challenges of managing such large crowds while keeping both tourists and artworks safe.

As part of the Louvre New Renaissance plan, des Cars emphasized the need for enhanced visitor flow management to tackle overcrowding, a common issue in many of the world’s most famous museums. These improvements are not only necessary to preserve the museum’s heritage but also to provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for tourists.

Impact on Tourists and the Louvre’s Appeal to Global Visitors

For tourists, the Louvre Museum represents more than just a collection of priceless artworks; it is a symbol of culture, history, and global heritage. As the most visited museum in the world, the Louvre attracts millions of visitors annually, each eager to experience its iconic exhibits, including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the vast collections of Greek and Roman antiquities.

The recent heist has raised concerns among some visitors about the safety of the museum’s collections. However, with the implementation of new security systems and the Louvre’s ongoing modernization efforts, tourists can expect a more secure and streamlined experience. The Louvre’s commitment to improving its security will reassure visitors that their safety and the protection of the museum’s treasures are top priorities.

Moreover, as global tourism continues to recover, the Louvre’s enhanced security measures will likely make it an even more attractive destination for international visitors. Tourists from around the world, eager to visit the museum as part of their cultural journey to Paris, will benefit from a museum that not only showcases the best of art and history but also ensures a safe and comfortable environment for all.

Temporary Closures and Structural Fragility: A Focus on Museum Maintenance

Alongside the heist and the subsequent security upgrades, the Louvre Museum has also announced the temporary closure of certain employee offices and a public gallery. The closures are necessary due to structural fragility, with parts of the building showing signs of wear from the pressures of mass tourism. The Louvre’s facilities were not originally designed to handle the immense foot traffic seen today, which has led to the need for extensive renovations.

While these closures may cause temporary inconveniences for visitors, they are part of the broader effort to maintain and preserve the museum’s historical infrastructure. These maintenance steps, although disruptive, are critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability of one of the world’s greatest cultural institutions.

A Safer Louvre for the Future

The Louvre Museum implementing new security systems after the most recent theft of the crown jewels, and with their plans of modernizing the museum, shows that the museum prioritizes the safety of their guests and the protection of their invaluable pieces. To guests and tourists, the Louvre will still be and always be the focal point of their culture and history, but now with modern security and systems that will be facing the the modern world.

The museum is embarking on a new journey with the Louvre’s New Renaissance. It is very distance that both the future of the Louvre and the guests that go there will benefit from the planned enhancement. Though the recent security breach may have seemed a bit alarming, the actions taken by the Louvre will make it a safe destination for tourists from all over the world for many years to come.