Multiple suspects have been arrested in the aftermath of the October raid; however, the jewellery has not been recovered. Des Cars, 59, was appointed in 2021 and acknowledged a significant failure after the theft. She stated that exterior security camera coverage was inadequate and the museum did not meet required standards despite staff efforts.
She submitted her resignation to French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday. The president's office described it as an act of responsibility, noting the museum's need for stability and new leadership to improve security and modernisation.
A parliamentary inquiry found that Louvre management operated independently, with minimal government oversight. The burglary exposed systemic failures and a lack of risk awareness. The museum underestimated the risks of intrusion and theft and failed to maintain adequate security measures.
Last year, France's state auditor described the theft as a wake-up call, emphasising that security upgrades had progressed too slowly and must now be completed without delay. A report highlighted delays in security upgrades, finding that only 39 per cent of the museum's rooms, which hosted more than 8.7 million visitors in 2024, had CCTV coverage.
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