In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through the art world, audacious thieves carried out a daylight robbery at Paris’s iconic Louvre Museum on Sunday, escaping with an array of “incalculable” and “priceless” jewelry, as confirmed by France’s interior minister.
The dramatic heist began around 9:30 a.m. According to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, speaking on France Inter radio, the criminals ingeniously utilized a truck’s lift mechanism to gain entry into the Galerie d’Apollon. This particular first-floor wing of the museum is renowned for housing a magnificent collection, including the French crown jewels.
Acting with remarkable speed and precision, the thieves used an angle grinder to breach a window, then quickly smashed open two display cases. They fled the scene on motor scooters, their valuable haul secured, all within a mere seven minutes. While Minister Nuñez refrained from detailing the exact items stolen, he emphasized their immense “patrimonial” and “historical” significance, rendering them truly “priceless.”
Minister Nuñez described it as a “major robbery,” suggesting that three or four seasoned criminals were likely involved. Their swift and precise execution pointed to a highly experienced team.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident, and police were promptly on site.
The Louvre promptly announced that the museum would remain closed throughout Sunday. This measure was enacted to facilitate the ongoing investigation, allowing authorities to meticulously preserve all traces and clues left by the perpetrators.
Investigators are now diligently sifting through a wealth of evidence, including items abandoned by the thieves and extensive security camera footage, in their quest to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched a formal investigation into the theft, with current efforts focused on thoroughly assessing the full extent of the losses.
As one of the world’s most visited cultural institutions, the Louvre boasts an immense collection of over 33,000 artworks, encompassing sculptures, paintings, and ancient artifacts. Among its countless treasures is the enigmatic Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. The museum typically welcomes up to 30,000 visitors daily.
This is not the first time the Louvre has been targeted by ambitious criminals. A notable incident occurred in the summer of 1911 when a museum employee daringly stole the Mona Lisa. The painting was recovered two years later after the employee, Vincenzo Peruggia, attempted to sell it in Italy, eventually leading to its return.
Another audacious theft took place in 1976. Three burglars broke into the museum at dawn, stealing a 19th-century diamond-studded sword belonging to King Charles X of France. They achieved entry by climbing metal scaffolding and smashing second-floor windows. Later, in 1990, Pierre Auguste Renoir’s “Portrait of a Seated Woman” was cut from its frame and stolen from a third-floor gallery.
In recent years, Europe has seen a concerning rise in robberies targeting rare coins and precious jewels in its museums.
A prime example is the 2019 heist at the Green Vault rooms of the Royal Palace museum in Dresden, Germany, where thieves absconded with over 100 million euros’ worth of jewels. Thankfully, a significant portion of the stolen items was later recovered as part of a plea deal.
Minister Nuñez assured the public that security at the Louvre had been significantly enhanced in recent years and would be further fortified, particularly with the latest plans for the museum’s comprehensive overhaul.
He conceded, however, to France Inter, that “we can’t prevent everything.”