French Ministry Confirms Louvre Jewels Were NOT Insured

According to MSM reports the French Ministry of Culture has confirmed that the stolen jewels taken from the Louvre in a crime thriller type heist, were not insured. There is is speculation online that this is because the glass display cases, plus other security such as the windows, staffing levels etc might not have met insurer T&Cs.

But the truth is national treasures in terms of value are impossible to price as regards loss. Such items are often best protected by creating replicas, and with Lab grown diamond tech that is the best solution in the 21st century. The burning of Notre Dame & Windsor Castle in the past also proved that Nation States themselves are the insurers of last resort in the case of great heritage sites, paintings, sculptures etc. being destroyed. The only realistic option is a complete recreation from the ground up.

Such losses, via theft, vandalism or fire, are about symbolism, more than any potential cash value.

The case does offer a warning to other govt heritage sites in terms of attack methods, escape vehicles (cheap scooters with fake plates are almost impossible to trace). It surely prompts curators to investigate Smartwater DNA type markings which can be applied to artefacts, without causing damage of course. 

Here’s the official statement from the Ministry of Culture in Paris;

This Sunday, October 19, the Louvre Museum experienced a break-in in the Apollo Gallery, which houses the royal collection of gems and the Crown Diamonds. Two high-security display cases were targeted and eight objects of inestimable heritage value were stolen, including: 
– Tiara from the parure of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense; 
– Necklace from the sapphire parure of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense; 
– Earring, from a pair from the sapphire parure of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense; 
– Emerald necklace from the parure of Marie-Louise; 
– Pair of emerald earrings from the parure of Marie-Louise; 
– Brooch known as a reliquary brooch; 
– Tiara of Empress Eugénie;
– Large bodice bow of Empress Eugenie (brooch).

The alarms located on the exterior window of the Apollo Gallery and on the two display cases were triggered. At the time of the break-in, which was particularly rapid and brutal, the five museum staff members present in the gallery and adjacent areas immediately intervened to apply the security protocol: contacting the police and giving priority to protecting people.

Thanks to the professionalism and swift action of the Louvre’s agents, the criminals were put to flight, leaving behind their equipment and one of the stolen objects, namely the crown of Empress Eugenie, the condition of which is currently under review. An attempt to set fire to the mechanical vehicle used by the criminals was prevented thanks to the intervention of a Louvre Museum agent, and the burglar was put to flight. 

There were no injuries to the public or to the agents.

The Minister of Culture would like to thank the Louvre Museum agents for their responsiveness and great professionalism.

She would like to point out that as part of the Louvre – Nouvelle Renaissance project announced by the President of the Republic last January, a new security master plan is included which is beginning to be deployed: 
– compliance with security measures which are improving with the deployment of new generation cameras; 
– perimeter detection; 
– new security PC.

An investigation into organized theft and criminal conspiracy to commit a crime has been opened and entrusted to the Brigade for the Suppression of Banditry (BRB) under the authority of the Paris prosecutor’s office.

GOING FORWARD – MORE SECURITY STAFF?

The general consensus seems to be that hiring more staff would protect jewels and artworks. But recent attacks by Hamas supporters and JSO suggest that staff may well observe, rather than intervene. Indeed staff may be trained NOT to intervene or tackle raiders, but simply usher the public away to safety points.

Using tech to scan visitors, or any contractors, could be helpful, albeit expensive in terms of data storage long term. Every heist is planned and objects filmed/photographed to assess value in advance of course. That requires spotters to visit museums and galleries for some weeks prior to the action.

One thing is certain, an inquiry will drag on for some months as blame is passed around the French public sector. Someone will resign. 

As you were. 

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