French senators condemn Louvre’s outdated security after an 88M-euro jewel theft, urging faster renovation progress.

French senators have condemned the Louvre Museum’s security as outdated after a theft on October 19, when jewels worth 88 million euros were stolen in under eight minutes using a basket lift. Two suspects have been arrested. Senators, including Laurent Lafon, say current systems fail modern standards, citing surveillance gaps, and are urging faster progress on the planned "Louvre New Renaissance" renovation, an 800 million euro project to modernize facilities and create a dedicated Mona Lisa gallery by 2031, now facing delays amid France’s 2026 budget debate.