Leribault speaks on Louvre's security and future

One year after the theft of the Crown Jewels, Christophe Leribault, the president-director of the Louvre, made statements in an exclusive interview with Figaro, published on October 14. Leribault outlined the measures implemented for the museum's security and warned about the absolute necessity of not abandoning the renovation project "Louvre – New Renaissance," announced by Emmanuel Macron in January 2025.

Renovation project is vital for the Louvre

Estimated at nearly one billion euros, these works must address the aging of the buildings and the congestion of the spaces. Leribault described the project as an "essential and national challenge." While the first shovel will not be able to intervene until after the 2027 presidential election, with the authorization of the next government, the head of the Louvre launches a warning to decision-makers.

Louvre risks losing status if renovation fails

No project is ever safe from an absurd political decision. But whatever the future government, it must keep in mind that if the Louvre is not repaired, adapted and transformed, it will quickly lose its status and will, in the long term, have to close its doors to the public, he said.

Financing remains a challenge

Financing remains however a challenge. The Louvre must indeed still raise 360 million euros from patrons. Faced with a decrease of three million euros of its budget in 2027, the president-director of the Paris museum considers a new increase in entry fees, which he promises "very reasonable" – even though the ticket already costs 22 euros for visitors not eligible for free entry and 32 euros for non-European foreigners.

Renovation will be gradual and phased

Leribault recalls that sections will close in turn for the works, but that the museum as a whole will remain open, with its most emblematic works still visible. He hopes that the large entrance on the colonnade and the new exhibition rooms can open in five or six years, while the complete renovation will spread over twelve to fifteen years.

Security upgrades continue

Regarding security, Leribault assures that emergency works continue, with the installation of new cameras, strengthening of accesses and renovation of the gates of the domain. A security coordinator has also joined the management in July. This summer, the Apollon gallery has reopened to the public empty of all objects, the remaining jewels from the October 19, 2025 theft having been secured in the waiting of a new highly secure presentation space.

Investigation into theft remains stalled

One year after the burglary, which saw eight Crown Jewels stolen in a few minutes, the investigation is stalled. The historical jewels, valued at 88 million euros, remain impossible to locate. During new interrogations conducted last June, two of the four suspects indicted – Ayed G. and Abdoulaye N., those suspected of having entered the Apollon gallery – suddenly claimed that a certain « Jo » from Aubervilliers had ordered the theft and had participated by supervising the handling of the lift, before immediately recovering the loot and disappearing without ever paying them the promised money.

Suspects claim others were involved

According to them, the other two indicted, Slimane K. and Rachid H., suspected of having been those acting at the foot of the building, would be innocent: the investigators had not arrested the right people. The police have however received these statements with skepticism due to the divergences in versions during the interrogations, the material evidence already collected and the total absence of elements found that could corroborate this new story, which does not dispel the mystery.