In an unexpected twist following a high-profile heist at the Louvre, the world-renowned museum has found itself at the centre of online chatter.
The revelation that the password to the Louvre’s security system was uncovered during the investigation has left social media users in disbelief and amusement, sparking a flurry of reactions.
The Heist That Shocked the World
The Louvre, home to some of the most priceless art in history, including the Mona Lisa, in Paris, France, was recently the target of a sophisticated heist. On October 19, there was a daylight robbery in which thieves made off with some €76 million (about US$102 million) in crown jewels from the museum’s Apollo Gallery.
The thieves scaled a wall using a cherry picker, smashed display cases with chainsaws, and made off with eight prized jewels in less than seven minutes, and the security infrastructure failed to prevent it.
As investigators pieced together the events leading up to the theft, they stumbled upon a shocking detail, which was the simplicity of the museum’s security system password.
As reported by ABC, a museum employee revealed that the museum’s core video surveillance server was protected with the password “LOUVRE”.
The museum’s director, Laurence des Cars, during her testimony before the French Senate committee, admitted that although the alarm and camera systems of the museum were functional, however, there was “weakness in the perimeter security due to underinvestment.”
The French newspaper Libération was among the first to report on, bringing up the 2014 audit by France’s National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI) that has been in charge of the museum’s audits for more than a decade.
The general translated version of the report by Brice Le Borgne writes, “How did the experts manage to infiltrate the network? Primarily due to the weakness of certain passwords which the French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) politely describes as ‘trivial.'”
The article added, “Type ‘LOUVRE’ to access a server managing the museum’s video surveillance, or ‘THALES’ to access one of the software programs published by… Thales.”
The audit also identified “serious shortcomings” in the museum’s cybersecurity, stating that “An attacker who manages to take control of it would be able to facilitate damage or even theft of artworks.”
While the museum has admitted that its security needs to be updated, it has not been confirmed if the museum has upgraded or changed the password since the audit. Speaking with CNN, the ANSSI confirmed their findings, but said that it “cannot be considered representative of the current level of security” of the Louvre.
Read More: The Dummies Guide To Password Security
According to reports, documents from 2025 have also implied that the Louvre has been using outdated security software called Sathi, developed by Thales from 2003 and using Windows Server 2000, which has been unsupported by Microsoft since 2015.
An audit by the Paris Police Prefecture carried out in 2025 further stressed that the Louvre’s IT systems “truly needed modernisation”.
The Password That Left Everyone in Splits
News broke that the password, intended to safeguard one of the world’s most prestigious art collections, was alarmingly basic. Social media platforms quickly erupted with users expressing disbelief, humor, and criticism.
One user commented, “If you ever have imposter syndrome, just remember that the security password for The Louvre was ‘louvre’,” while another wrote, “Apparently the password for the Louvre security system was “louvre” Can’t make this up.”
A third posted how, “If you feel like you’re bad at your job and it’s making you depressed, just consider that, as the investigation of the recent heist revealed, the password to access the Louvre’s video surveillance system was “Louvre”.”
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the necessity for enhanced security measures. While the Louvre has yet to comment officially on the matter, experts insist that this serves as a wake-up call for institutions worldwide.
Cybersecurity experts weren’t amused. One said wryly, “As a cybersecurity expert, I’m not stunned — sadly, this is a pattern of inept security practices.
Beyond the online jokes, French government officials expressed deep concern. Senators visiting the museum found that its security equipment was “not in line” with modern standards, with only 39% of exhibition rooms equipped with cameras.
As per reports, auditors confirmed upgrades, planned long ago, still won’t be finished until 2032.
Within France and abroad, the episode is being portrayed as a cautionary tale: even world-class institutions are vulnerable when basic cybersecurity hygiene is neglected.
While the Louvre heist itself remains a serious matter, the comedic element surrounding the password revelation has provided a lighter moment for social media users. As the investigation continues, the hope is that this incident will lead to improved security measures and a reminder of the importance of digital vigilance.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: CNN, The Indian Express, Business Standard
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Louvre, Louvre password, Louvre robbers, Louvre tickets, Louvre museum, Louvre heist, Louvre museum heist, Louvre password viral, viral news, Louvre security, french museum, Louvre museum security, Louvre museum security password
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