Less than a month after a major theft at the Louvre, the Paris museum's security measures have come under renewed scrutiny, this time due to a stunt pulled off by two Belgian influencers.

In a video posted on 14 November to their TikTok channel "Neal & Senne", the duo showed how they managed to sneak their own portrait into the Louvre and hang it on a wall without being detected. To bypass security, they opted for a clever disguise: a picture frame made from Lego bricks, which they disassembled and carried in a paper bag. Once inside, they reassembled the frame, inserted a stylised portrait of themselves, and waited for the right moment.

At around 5.30pm, just before the museum's 6pm closing time, as visitors were being ushered out, the pair acted. They quietly mounted their portrait in the famous Salle des États, near the gallery of 16th-century Venetian paintings. After snapping a quick photo, they blended into the departing crowd and exited the building.

Louvre responds: legal action under consideration

Following the video's viral success, French news channel BFM TV contacted the Louvre for comment. According to the museum, the unauthorised portrait didn't remain in place for long, as security staff reportedly noticed and removed it in "under three minutes".

When asked how the pair had managed to bring in the framed artwork, the museum clarified that the materials used were not prohibited items and therefore could not have been confiscated at the entrance. As such, there had been no grounds to deny them access, they explained.

While no damage was caused, the Louvre is not taking the incident lightly. The museum stated it is considering filing a formal complaint against the influencers.

@neal_senne Ons Schilderij In Louvre Hangen 🖼️🇫🇷 #fyp #fy #voorjou #foryou #viral ♬ origineel geluid - Neal & Senne