The Louvre Museum in Paris has been temporarily closed following a daring and highly coordinated daylight robbery that saw thieves make off with eight pieces of priceless 19th-century French crown jewels.
According to authorities, the theft occurred on Sunday morning between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m. local time, just after the museum had opened to the public.
Four masked individuals used a mechanical lift mounted on a vehicle to access a first-floor window of the Galerie d’Apollon — the Louvre’s famed gallery of royal jewels — near the River Seine.
Two of the thieves reportedly used battery-powered tools to cut through glass panes, entered the museum, and threatened guards, who immediately evacuated the building.
The robbers then smashed two display cases and stole jewellery items before escaping on scooters.
France’s Ministry of Culture confirmed that the museum’s alarm system functioned correctly and staff followed emergency procedures, protecting visitors and alerting security forces.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the heist as "calm" and "very professional," adding that the suspects appeared to have carefully planned the escape route. No injuries were reported.
Authorities say the stolen items include:
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A tiara and brooch belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III
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An emerald necklace and earrings once worn by Empress Marie Louise
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A sapphire tiara, necklace, and single earring associated with Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
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A piece known as the "reliquary brooch"
Two other items, including Empress Eugénie’s crown, were recovered near the scene, believed to have been dropped during the escape.
They are currently being examined for possible damage.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the jewels as “priceless” and of “immeasurable heritage value.”
He said the entire heist lasted just minutes and called it one of the most brazen museum thefts in recent French history.
The robbery has sparked renewed concerns over museum security in France.
It follows a series of high-profile heists in recent months, including the theft of porcelain worth over €9 million from the Adrien Dubouché Museum in Limoges, and the armed robbery of the Hieron Museum in Burgundy in November 2024.
The Louvre has not announced when it will reopen to the public, but investigations are ongoing.
Police are currently analysing CCTV footage and searching for the four suspects.
