Nov. 6 (UPI) -- An evaluation of the Louvre Museum's security measures -- underway long before a costly break-in last month -- found Thursday that the Paris institution had fallen "considerably behind" in upgrading its technical infrastructure and security.
The report from the French Court of Auditors took a look at both the facilities of the museum and the Louvre Museum Endowment Fund from 2018 to 2024. It was completed before the Oct. 19 break-in during which thieves made off with eight bejeweled items worth millions.
The report said the theft highlighted "the importance of long-term investments in modernizing the museum's infrastructure and restoring the palace."
The authors of the report took issue with the Louvre's acquirement of 2,754 items over eight years, one-fourth of which were on display. These items -- and renovations of displays -- represent an investment of $167 million, double what the Louvre allocated for maintenance, upgrades and building restoration.
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