Louvre Heist Shock: Museum Used ‘Louvre’ as Surveillance Password During $102 Million Jewel Theft

French authorities are under intense scrutiny after new revelations about the $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre exposed startling gaps in the museum’s security infrastructure. The investigation has now confirmed that the password protecting the museum’s video surveillance system at the time of the robbery was simply “Louvre”, a vulnerability that critics say made the break-in far easier for the thieves.

The heist, executed on October 19 in under seven minutes, forced the temporary closure of one of the world’s most visited museums. The thieves targeted the Apollo Gallery, escaping with eight historic pieces, including the emerald-and-diamond necklace once gifted by Napoleon to Empress Marie Louise and the 19th-century crown of Empress Eugenie.

A museum staff member disclosed that the surveillance password had been unchanged and shockingly simple, adding to mounting anger over what many see as preventable failures. The revelation follows weeks of debate in France about the condition of the Louvre’s security systems and the need for urgent upgrades.

During her testimony last month, Louvre director Laurence des Cars acknowledged “serious lapses” in security protocols, citing aging infrastructure and insufficient camera coverage. She explained that parts of the museum’s exterior—despite being high-risk zones—were not monitored by CCTV, including the very window through which the thieves entered.

“Despite our efforts, we were defeated. We did not detect the thieves early enough,” she admitted. She also revealed that she had repeatedly warned authorities about the state of the museum’s security, noting that those concerns had now materialised in the worst possible way.

Plans are underway to install an expanded CCTV network, create no-parking zones around the museum, and request the establishment of a police station inside the property to prevent future breaches.

French reports suggest the robbers may not have been seasoned professionals. Investigators found that during their escape, the suspects dropped the most valuable piece—the crown of Empress Eugenie—along with tools, a glove, and other evidence. They also failed in an attempt to destroy the getaway truck, leaving it intact for forensic analysis.

Within a week of the heist, two men suspected of carrying out the break-in were arrested. One, a 34-year-old Algerian resident, was detained at an airport while attempting to fly out of France. The second suspect, age 39, was already under supervision for prior theft charges. Both individuals, residents of Aubervilliers in northern Paris, have reportedly admitted parts of their involvement. Two additional suspects—a man and a woman—were later arrested and charged, while another individual believed to be the mastermind remains at large.

As the investigation continues, the Louvre heist has become a global symbol of how even world-class cultural institutions can be compromised by outdated security, avoidable errors, and underestimated threats.