In a daring seven-minute heist, thieves broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris early Sunday and stole royal jewels of “incalculable” value from the gallery that houses France’s historic crown treasures, officials said.
Authorities said the robbers used a crane to smash through an upstairs window in the museum’s Apollo Gallery before making off on motorbikes. The operation, described by investigators as “highly professional,” unfolded in just minutes and has triggered a major security review.
The stolen items reportedly include several 19th-century pieces from the collection of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. At least one crown was later found discarded near the museum, damaged but recovered, according to the French Interior Ministry.
Police have opened an investigation into organized theft, and forensic teams are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing museum staff. The museum was evacuated and remained closed for the rest of the day as authorities assessed the damage.
The Interior Ministry said the jewels hold “inestimable heritage value” that far exceeds any monetary worth.
The Louvre, which welcomed 8.7 million visitors in 2024, has long faced concerns over staffing shortages and outdated security systems. Unions had warned earlier this year of underinvestment at one of the world’s most visited cultural landmarks.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati said she would visit the museum on Monday, calling the theft “a blow to France’s cultural heritage.”
Police have urged the public to share any information that could lead to the recovery of the stolen treasures. (Newswire)
