France is experiencing a troubling wave of museum thefts that has intensified political scrutiny over the country’s security infrastructure. The Denis Diderot Museum in Langres was recently robbed of 2,000 unique 18th-century coins, which were part of a collection unearthed during construction renovations in 2011. This theft follows the high-profile jewelry heist at the Louvre Museum, prompting fierce criticism from opposition politicians and raising questions about the effectiveness of cultural heritage protection measures.
The stolen coins, valued at approximately €90,000, were reported missing on Monday morning after museum staff discovered a broken front door and a shattered display case. Local authorities have confirmed that the break-in appears to have been premeditated, with only the most valuable items taken while others remained untouched. A private security company has been deployed to monitor the temporarily closed museum while its security system undergoes upgrades.
The incidents have sparked a broader debate about the management of cultural institutions in France. Opposition leaders have accused the government of inadequate investment in security, while also criticizing museum directors for their decision-making processes. Marion Marechal, a member of the European Parliament and niece of Marine Le Pen, described the situation as a national embarrassment, calling for the immediate resignation of Louvre director Laurence Des Cars and the museum’s security chief, Dominique Buffin, whom she claimed was appointed as part of a feminization policy.
These thefts are not isolated incidents. The National Museum of Natural History in Paris was also targeted earlier in October with the theft of gold nuggets worth €1.5 million. The Louvre heist, which occurred on October 19, has further intensified public frustration, with Jordan Bardella of the National Rally party branding the event as a symbol of the state’s decay. Such events have forced French authorities to re-evaluate their approach to safeguarding cultural heritage, raising concerns about both the security of major institutions and wider implications for public trust in government management.