Paris woke up to shocking news: the Louvre Museum remained shut on Monday as police intensely pursued four daring thieves. These audacious culprits had, just the day before, pulled off a lightning-fast jewelry heist, snatching priceless pieces in under ten minutes.
This audacious robbery, involving what officials have described as utterly invaluable jewels, sent shockwaves across France. It has cast an uncomfortable spotlight on the security measures at the planet’s most iconic cultural institution.
Gérald Darmanin, France’s justice minister, captured the national mood during an interview on France Inter radio Monday. “This morning, most French people feel personally violated,” he stated. “Just as when Notre-Dame burned, it felt like our church was burning for everyone—even non-Catholics—this incredible jewelry robbery at the Louvre feels like a national affront.”
“We simply cannot guarantee complete security everywhere,” Darmanin acknowledged. “However, what’s undeniable is that we failed in this instance.”
More Than Just a Museum: A Symbol of France
Once a grand royal palace, the Louvre transformed into a public museum following the French Revolution. Today, it stands as a magnificent cultural emblem for France, drawing countless tourists daily to wander its sprawling wings and courtyards, home to over 33,000 masterpieces.
The museum confirmed on Monday that it would stay closed following “yesterday’s robbery” and assured visitors with pre-booked tickets they would receive refunds. Initial reports from French media suggested the museum would reopen, leaving the reason for this sudden change unclear.
French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed that the culprits will be brought to justice. The gravity of the situation was underscored by a crisis meeting held between the French interior and culture ministers on Monday, reflecting the serious concern among authorities.
A Daring Daylight Jewel Heist
In a bold move executed in broad daylight, a mere 30 minutes after the Louvre opened its doors, masked thieves breached the second-floor Apollo Gallery. They reportedly used an electric ladder and grinders to gain access to this chamber, renowned for housing France’s historical collection of crown jewels, according to official reports.
The thieves made their escape on motor scooters, carrying with them eight priceless items. These included a dazzling royal sapphire necklace, a stunning royal emerald necklace with its matching earrings, and a magnificent diadem once worn by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, who ruled France in the 19th century.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau informed the BFMTV channel on Sunday evening that while the thieves did not appear to be visibly armed, they did threaten the museum’s security personnel. This led to a swift evacuation of the few visitors present in the gallery at the time of the incident.