The Louvre Museum in Paris, the world’s most visited museum, is closed today following a dramatic and sophisticated robbery that authorities are calling one of the most significant in the institution’s history. Hooded criminals armed with chainsaws breached the iconic museum, making off with several priceless pieces of jewelry from the collection of French sovereigns before vanishing into the city on scooters.
The brazen theft occurred in the early hours, with the criminals targeting a section of the museum near the River Seine where construction work is currently underway. According to reports from French media, one thief acted as a lookout while two others entered the building. They used chainsaws to break windows and gain entry, executing the entire heist in a swift seven minutes, as confirmed by France’s Interior Minister.
The stolen items are reported to be from the Napoleon and French Sovereigns display cases within the prestigious Apollo Gallery. Initial police sources indicate that nine pieces were taken, including a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara. In a twist, one of the items, a crown that belonged to Empress Eugénie, was reportedly found damaged outside the museum after being dropped during the thieves’ frantic escape.
France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, was on-site following the incident, confirming a robbery had taken place. The Parisian Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a full investigation into “organized theft and criminal conspiracy.” While the exact value of the stolen jewels is still being assessed, authorities have confirmed that the gallery’s most famous piece, the 140-carat Regent diamond, remains secure. The museum, which houses masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, has a history of thefts, most notably in 1911 when the Mona Lisa itself was stolen by a former employee.
