French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the incident on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “The theft occurred this morning at the Louvre Museum as soon as it opened.”
According to reports, the robbers scaled a wall and cut through a window using a disc cutter to enter the museum. Among the stolen items was the Eugénie Crown, crafted in 1855 for Empress Eugénie de Montijo, Napoleon’s wife. The crown, studded with thousands of diamonds and emeralds, is one of France’s most treasured royal artifacts. Some broken fragments of the crown were later found at the scene, suggesting it was damaged during the robbery.
Museum closed; major investigation launched
Following the theft, the Louvre announced it would remain closed for the entire day. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunes called the incident “one of the largest art heists in recent history.” A special team is compiling a list of the stolen items.
Nunes said the thieves used modern tools and methods—arriving in a truck fitted with a ladder, which they placed against the wall facing the Seine River. They then entered through the cut window and used a freight elevator, installed for ongoing renovation work, to access the gallery containing Napoleon’s collection.
Police believe three individuals were involved: two who entered the gallery and a third who acted as a lookout. The robbers used chainsaws and cutters to break display glass and locks. They later escaped on a T-Max scooter toward the A6 motorway, leaving behind the truck and ladder, which have been seized as evidence.
Priceless royal collection targeted
The stolen jewels include a necklace, brooch, tiara, and other ornaments from the Napoleonic and Josephine collections—an essential part of France’s royal heritage. Many of these items date back to the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact value of the stolen jewels.
Foreign involvement suspected
The investigation is being led by France’s Banditry Repression Brigade (BRB) and the Office for Combating Cultural Property Trafficking. Police are reviewing CCTV footage and suspect the gang may have foreign links. Investigators also believe the heist might have been commissioned by a private collector, intending to keep the jewels hidden rather than selling them on the black market.
Tourists turned away amid chaos
The theft caused confusion among the thousands of visitors waiting to enter the Louvre that morning.
A British tourist said, “We arrived around 10 a.m., and suddenly staff announced that the museum was closed due to a theft. Soon, police and army vehicles surrounded the area, and everyone was escorted out.”
A history of Louvre thefts
Home to the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, the Louvre holds over 380,000 artifacts, with 35,000 on public display. It is the world’s most visited museum, attracting nearly 30,000 visitors daily.
Despite its high security, the Louvre has seen thefts before — most famously in 1911, when an employee stole the Mona Lisa by hiding overnight in a cupboard and slipping out with the painting under his coat. The artwork was recovered two years later in Florence.
In November 2024, another incident saw seven valuable boxes stolen by armed thieves wielding axes.
This latest heist, however, has stunned France for its speed, precision, and historical magnitude.
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