The Louvre museum’s security chief has been accused of being a diversity hire who put France’s “cultural heritage” at risk following the brazen theft of priceless crown jewels in a heist that has left the nation humiliated.
Dominique Buffin, who has served as Director of Public Reception and Surveillance at the Paris museum since last year, faces allegations she was appointed by museum director Laurence Des Cars as part of a “feminisation policy” rather than on merit.
Both women now face mounting calls to resign after thieves used a crane to smash through an upstairs window on Sunday and make off with eight items of irreplaceable French royal jewellery, including tiaras and earrings belonging to 19th century queens.
Marion Maréchal: France Now “Laughingstock of the World”
Marion Maréchal, MEP and niece of former National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, declared France has become the “laughingstock of the world” because of what she termed the “ridiculous theft.”
In a blistering post on X, she demanded immediate resignations: “This humiliation cannot go unanswered: Rachida Dati must demand the immediate resignation of the museum’s director Laurence Des Cars and the security chief Dominique Buffin, whom she appointed – Le Monde was delighted – as part of a feminisation policy.”
Maréchal continued: “Evidently, at the cost of forgoing competence and endangering the cultural heritage of our Nation.”
The accusation that Buffin’s appointment prioritised gender over capability strikes at broader debates about diversity hiring in critical security positions.
Bardella: “Intolerable Humiliation”
Jordan Bardella, current president of the National Rally party, branded the heist at the world’s most visited museum an “intolerable humiliation” for France.
“The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture,” he said. This heist, which allowed thieves to steal the Crown Jewels of France, is an intolerable humiliation for our country.
He added: “How far will the decay of the State go?”
The political right has seized on the security failure as evidence of broader institutional decline under the current government.
Crane Used to Smash Window
The audacity of Sunday’s robbery has shocked security experts worldwide, with thieves positioning a crane truck in central Paris before using it to smash through an upper-floor window.
The masked burglars then climbed into the museum and made off with eight items described by French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez as “priceless.”
Among the stolen treasures were a tiara and earrings from sets belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense from the early 19th century – irreplaceable pieces of French national heritage.
Justice Minister: “We Failed”
Justice Minister Gérard Darmanin admitted frankly that French authorities had catastrophically failed in their duty to protect national treasures.
“What is certain is that we failed,” Darmanin told local radio. “Someone was capable of putting a crane truck in the open in the streets of Paris, to have people walk up for a couple of minutes and take priceless jewels and give France a deplorable image.”
His candid acknowledgement of failure underscores the magnitude of the security breach at one of the world’s premier cultural institutions.
Emergency Security Review Ordered
France ordered an immediate security review at the Louvre and checks at other cultural sites on Monday following the break-in.
Culture and Interior Ministers held an emergency meeting to investigate what went wrong and determine what security enhancements are needed at cultural institutions nationwide.
“For too long we have looked into the security of visitors but not the security of artworks,” Culture Minister Rachida Dati admitted to local media.
She revealed plans to implement shortcuts to public procurement rules to accelerate security upgrades in museums across France.
Art Investigator: “Something Was Wrong”
Renowned art investigator Arthur Brand, who has recovered numerous stolen masterpieces, raised serious concerns about Louvre security protocols.
“If you target the Louvre, the most important museum in the world, and then get away with the French crown jewels, something was wrong with security,” he stated.
Brand described the robbery as “the theft of the decade,” suggesting its boldness and success will inspire copycat crimes.
His professional assessment carries weight given his experience investigating high-profile art thefts across Europe.
Feminisation Policy Controversy
The accusation that Buffin was appointed as part of a “feminisation policy” references broader debates about diversity initiatives in French institutions.
Critics argue that prioritising demographic representation over proven expertise in critical security roles creates vulnerabilities that criminals can exploit.
Supporters counter that women can be equally competent in security positions and that suggesting otherwise represents outdated sexism.
The controversy reflects tensions between progressive diversity goals and conservative emphasis on meritocracy.
Buffin’s Background
Dominique Buffin previously worked in the police force and at France’s Ministry of Culture before her appointment to the Louvre last year.
Her professional background suggests she wasn’t entirely without relevant experience, though critics question whether she possessed sufficient expertise for securing one of the world’s most important museums.
The fact she had been in post less than a year when this catastrophic breach occurred will fuel arguments she was insufficiently prepared for the role.
Des Cars Under Fire
Museum director Laurence Des Cars, who appointed Buffin, faces parallel criticism for either poor judgment in hiring or for allowing security standards to deteriorate.
As overall director, ultimate responsibility for the museum’s security posture rests with Des Cars regardless of Buffin’s specific performance.
Her position has become increasingly untenable as politicians across the spectrum demand accountability.
Four Masked Burglars Sought
A manhunt continues for four masked individuals believed responsible for the heist, though French authorities have released few details about leads or suspects.
The thieves’ ability to position a crane, break in, steal specific items and escape suggests sophisticated planning and inside knowledge of museum layouts and security protocols.
Art crime experts warn that recovering stolen crown jewels will prove extremely difficult as they’re too recognisable to sell openly and may be broken down for their precious materials.
Louvre’s Global Significance
The museum welcomed 8.7 million visitors in 2024, making it the world’s most visited cultural institution.
Home to masterpieces including the Mona Lisa, the Louvre represents not just French culture but global artistic heritage.
A successful heist at such a prominent target sends a message that no museum is truly secure, potentially emboldening criminals worldwide.
Political Ramifications
The theft has become a political football, with the right-wing National Rally using it to attack the government’s competence on security matters.
President Macron’s administration now faces uncomfortable questions about whether diversity initiatives have compromised security at critical institutions.
The timing couldn’t be worse for a government already facing criticism on crime and immigration issues.
As France reels from this embarrassing security failure, the debate over whether Buffin’s appointment represented competent hiring or diversity box-ticking will intensify, with the missing crown jewels serving as expensive evidence in the argument.
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