UPDATE: LOUVRE MUSEUM DIRECTOR TO TESTIFY BEFORE FRENCH LAWMAKERS IN PROBE OVER STOLEN PRICELESS JEWELS. (PHOTO).

 Louvre Museum director to testify before French lawmakers in probe over stolen priceless jewels

The president and director of the Louvre Museum, Laurence des Cars, has been summoned to testify before France’s Senate Culture Committee as authorities intensify their investigation into the daring theft of priceless jewels from the museum’s Apollo Gallery. Des Cars is expected to face lawmakers on Wednesday to explain how nine historic pieces, including a pearl and diamond tiara once belonging to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense, were stolen during a daylight heist on Sunday. French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the theft as “an attack on a heritage we cherish,” pledging that the perpetrators will be captured.

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the robbery as a highly professional operation, saying the thieves “knew exactly where they were going” and targeted specific display cases. She noted that investigators are exploring possible ties to organized crime and have not ruled out an inside job. Dati has called for increased security measures at the Louvre, including a permanent police station inside the museum. A forthcoming report by France’s Cour des Comptes has raised concerns about longstanding security deficiencies, revealing that some areas of the museum remain only partially covered by surveillance cameras and that key upgrades from 2019 to 2024 have been delayed. The Louvre remained closed Tuesday as the investigation continues, with ticket holders being offered refunds while authorities pursue leads in what has become one of France’s most significant art thefts in decades.