Paris awoke to stunning news as the iconic Louvre Museum was forced to close its doors on a Sunday, October 19, 2025, following a reported theft. France’s Culture Minister confirmed the incident, stating that authorities are now actively investigating.
In a brief statement, the Louvre announced its closure for “exceptional reasons,” providing no immediate further details about the audacious heist. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati swiftly arrived at the scene, underscoring the seriousness of the crime. According to French daily Le Parisien, the criminals gained entry to the world’s most visited museum—a former royal palace—through its Seine-facing facade, an area currently undergoing construction. They reportedly utilized a freight elevator to access the target location within the prestigious Apollo Gallery directly.
After smashing windows, the thieves are believed to have made off with “nine pieces from the jewellery collection of Napoleon and the Empress,” as detailed by Le Parisien.
This incident is not the first time the Louvre has faced such a challenge. The museum has a long and storied history of thefts and attempted robberies. Perhaps the most famous occurred in 1911, when the world-renowned Mona Lisa vanished from its frame, spirited away by Vincenzo Peruggia, a former employee who had hidden inside the museum. Its recovery two years later in Florence only cemented Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece as one of the planet’s most recognizable artworks.
More recently, in 1983, two exquisite Renaissance-era suits of armor were stolen from the Louvre, only to be recovered nearly four decades later. Beyond these criminal acts, the museum’s vast collection also carries the complex legacy of Napoleonic-era looting, which continues to fuel contemporary debates surrounding the restitution of cultural artifacts.
The Louvre is a colossal repository of art and history, housing over 33,000 works. Its collections span antiquities, sculpture, and painting, representing civilizations from Mesopotamia and Egypt to the classical world and the grand European masters. Alongside the Mona Lisa, its most cherished attractions include the graceful Venus de Milo and the majestic Winged Victory of Samothrace.
The very gallery targeted in this latest theft, the Galerie d’Apollon, is renowned for showcasing a breathtaking selection of the French Crown Jewels, making the loss particularly significant.
With the capacity to welcome up to 30,000 visitors daily, the sudden closure of such a global landmark sends shockwaves through the art world and international community.