France’s Museums Grapple With a Surge of Jewelry-Theft Burglaries

France and other European museums faced a summer spike in burglaries, with criminals targeting gold, gems, coins, and antiques that can be melted down or sold. A record 10 museum burglaries this summer included eight incidents involving jewelry or easily meltable items, including a July 5 theft at the Lalique Museum and a necklace stolen in Châtillon-sur-Seine. The incidents underscore evolving thief tactics and uplifted security costs as museums seek funding amid tight budgets; private donations and new programs, like a foundation-backed pass to access hundreds of museums, are being pursued. Officials warn that museum security is often viewed as weaker than jewelry-store protections, prompting calls for greater investment and vigilance across institutions.