Following the spectacular jewel theft from the Louvre, France is in a state of dismay. There is talk of humiliation and outrageous conditions. Criticism of cultural policy is growing.
Many French people reacted with shock to the news of the spectacular theft."It's outrageous that someone could simply take the jewels of the French crown by using a cherry picker and breaking the windows, right in the middle of Paris," said a young man in front of the Louvre.
There is also much outrage in French politics. The right-wing nationalist Rassemblement National party, for example, speaks of a humiliation for France, while former socialist president François Hollande speaks of possible foreign masterminds.
The most renowned French aristocracy expert, Stéphane Bern, describes the significance of the stolen jewels as follows:"It's as if the grandmother's jewelry had been stolen. This is the French family jewelry."
Brooches, tiaras and necklaces stolen
The perpetrators stole a total of eight crown jewels of almost incalculable value: brooches, tiaras, and necklaces with diamonds and pearls from the time of Louis XIV or the French Empire in the 19th century.
The historical jewels were housed in two display cases in the Apollo Room on the first floor of the Louvre's south wing. The perpetrators gained access via a balcony, to which they had driven a cherry picker. Everything happened very quickly, as Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez explained:"It took seven minutes. They fled on motorcycles. The burglars had obviously scouted the place thoroughly beforehand and were very skilled."
Perpetrators left their tools behind
The four perpetrators were said to have been wearing high-visibility vests and masks. While fleeing, they made the mistake of dropping an extremely valuable crown belonging to the French Empress Eugénie right at the Louvre. The crown, studded with more than a thousand diamonds, was reportedly damaged in the process.
The perpetrators also left their tools at the crime scene. An attempt to set the vehicle on fire using gasoline from the lift failed. The Louvre burglars then disappeared on fast scooters toward the highway.
"Museums have become targets"
France's Culture Minister Rachida Dati spoke of repeated targeted attacks on French museums: "These are professionals. Organized crime is targeting art objects. The museums have become targets: France has a great deal of cultural heritage of great value."
But there is also criticism that the responsible cultural authorities in France have not invested enough in the Louvre in recent years. As early as February, Louvre director Laurence des Cars had appealed for help, noting that the world's largest museum was in poor condition.
Job cuts among security personnel
Back then, the main concern was building damage. But staff were also cut, says union activist Elise Muller, who is part of the Louvre's security staff herself:"Within ten years, 190 security positions were cut. That corresponds to 15 percent of the staff."
And this despite the fact that the Louvre has been enjoying an influx of visitors following the coronavirus crisis, pushing the museum to its limits. Last year, nine million admissions were recorded. When the Louvre was refurbished in the 1980s and adorned with a glass pyramid, only half of today's visitor numbers were planned.
Following the break-in, the Louvre was immediately evacuated and closed on Sunday. Many visitors only learned from the media that they were in or near the museum on the same day that one of the most spectacular art thefts in recent French history took place.
