Parisian thieves carried out a bold daylight robbery at the renowned Louvre museum this past Sunday morning, completing the heist in a mere seven minutes and absconding with “priceless” jewels formerly owned by Napoleon and his empresses.
The Louvre, recognized as the globe’s most frequented museum with 8.7 million visitors in 2024, remained shut throughout the day as authorities probed how the perpetrators managed what might be the most significant theft in recent French history. A statement confirmed the closure served as “a security precaution and to safeguard evidence for the inquiry.”
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Paris announced the initiation of an investigation into alleged “organized theft and criminal conspiracy.”
This robbery, targeting an emblem of French heritage, deeply rattled the nation and became Sunday’s dominant news story. Government ministers promptly reacted, appearing at the crime scene within hours of the incident.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the robbery as “a major, highly organized operation,” executed by a team that had meticulously scouted the location. He informed French radio that the thieves employed a disc cutter to penetrate glass panes and reach the jewels.
Both Minister Nuñez and Culture Minister Rachida Dati arrived at the museum post-robbery to confer with museum executives and law enforcement regarding the ongoing investigations.
depict tourists and visitors being guided out of the museum soon after its opening, as police secured the area to commence their inquiry.
Below is an overview of the robbery and the methods employed by the thieves.
A construction site was utilized as cover
According to the French daily newspaper , four masked and hooded thieves gained entry to the Museum through its Seine-facing facade at approximately 9:30 am. Ongoing construction work facilitated their heist, with a cherry picker enabling direct access to the Apollo Gallery jewel room on the first floor, situated under 300 yards from the celebrated Mona Lisa.
reveal investigators examining a ladder positioned against the building’s south-east corner, facing the River Seine. This ladder is attached to a mechanized lift and reaches a balcony on the museum’s upper level. Officials have not yet verified if the ladder was part of the construction equipment or placed there by the culprits.
stated that he perceived what he characterized as “stomping” on the windows that morning, just prior to security personnel instructing him to evacuate the museum.
“I was merely attempting to understand the situation when I observed museum staff heading towards the source of the noise. Subsequently, they turned around swiftly, began running, and shouted ‘get out, get out, get out, get out, evacuate!’” Ryan el Mandari recounted to the publication.
Scooter getaway
Subsequent to the rapid robbery, the perpetrators reportedly fled on Yamaha ‘TMax’ scooters—known for their powerful 560cc engines—proceeding towards a nearby highway.
Invaluable historical jewels targeted
The precise specifics of the stolen items remain unconfirmed. However, local media indicates that nine pieces were removed from the Apollo Gallery, a section housing the remaining French crown jewels, the majority of which were pilfered post-French Revolution.
This collection includes artifacts belonging to Emperor Napoleon, his nephew Napoleon III, and their consorts, Empresses Marie-Louise and Eugenie.
Le Parisien stated that the Crown of Empress Eugenie, a single jewel, was discovered abandoned and damaged outside the Museum at a later time.
This narrative is unfolding and will receive further updates.