The Louvre Museum in Paris has been temporarily closed as authorities investigate a daring Jewellery Heist that has shocked France and the art world. The robbery, described as one of the most audacious in recent memory, saw a group of masked thieves escape with priceless royal treasures in broad daylight. According to French officials, the thieves used power tools to break into the world-renowned museum before making their escape on scooters. The value of the stolen items is said to be beyond calculation, with several pieces belonging to France’s royal history.
How the Heist Unfolded
The theft took place on Sunday morning between 9:30 and 9:40 local time, shortly after the museum opened its doors to visitors. Investigators believe the robbers gained access to the Galerie d’Apollon (Gallery of Apollo), which overlooks the River Seine, using a mechanical ladder attached to a vehicle. Once inside, they cut through glass panes with an angle grinder or chainsaw to reach the exhibition hall. Security footage reportedly shows the masked intruders entering calmly and smashing display cases that contained the royal jewels. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed that no one was hurt during the incident, describing the operation as highly professional and carefully planned. The thieves appeared to know exactly where to go and executed their escape in minutes. Police believe three or four suspects were involved and are now analyzing CCTV footage from surrounding streets to trace their route.
What Was Stolen
Authorities have not officially confirmed which items were taken, but the targeted gallery houses some of France’s most valuable royal artefacts. One piece of jewelry was reportedly found outside the museum, possibly dropped during the escape. Local newspaper Le Parisien suggested it may have been the crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The famous Regent Diamond, the 140-carat centrepiece of the gallery, remains safe. However, several other jewels believed to belong to Napoleon III may have been stolen, along with pieces from a nearby cabinet containing additional regal treasures. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the jewels taken were of immeasurable heritage value and irreplaceable in cultural significance, Jewellery Heist
Thousands Join ‘No Kings’ Marches Across US Amid Anti-Trump Uprising
Past Thefts at French Museums
This latest Jewellery Heist is not the first to strike French institutions. In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen by an Italian employee who simply lifted it off the wall and hid it under his coat. It was recovered two years later, sparking a global fascination with the painting. Security was overhauled after a 1998 theft of Camille Corot’s Le Chemin de Sèvres, which has never been found. More recently, French museums have been targeted in a wave of high-value robberies. Last month, €9.5 million worth of porcelain was stolen from the Adrien Dubouché Museum in Limoges. In November 2024, seven historical pieces were taken from the Cognacq-Jay Museum in Paris, and in Burgundy, armed robbers looted the Hieron Museum, firing shots before escaping with 20th-century artworks. Police are now conducting an extensive investigation into the Louvre Jewellery Heist, hoping to recover the stolen treasures and bring the thieves to justice before the stolen artefacts vanish into the black market.
