The world-renowned Louvre Museum in Paris remained shuttered on Monday as authorities intensified their search for four audacious thieves. These criminals pulled off a spectacular jewelry heist the day before, completing the entire operation in under ten minutes.
Officials have described the stolen items as “priceless,” and this daring robbery has sent shockwaves across France, raising serious questions about the security protocols at one of the globe’s most celebrated cultural landmarks.
Gérald Darmanin, France’s justice minister, voiced the nation’s collective dismay on France Inter radio: “This morning, the French people, for the most part, feel as though they have been robbed. Just as when Notre-Dame burned, it felt like our church was burning — even if you weren’t Catholic — such an incredible jewelry robbery at the Louvre casts a very poor light on things.”
“We simply cannot secure every single location,” Mr. Darmanin conceded, “But what is undeniable is that we have failed.”
Facing existing pressure from political instability and economic challenges, French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to apprehend the culprits. The government is taking the incident extremely seriously, with the interior and culture ministers convening a crisis meeting immediately after the robbery.
Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far about this shocking theft and the ongoing hunt for those responsible.
The Audacious Details: How the Heist Unfolded
According to officials, the robbery commenced at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Four thieves approached a southern section of the Louvre, equipped with a truck carrying an electric ladder. Two individuals ascended the ladder to reach the museum’s second-floor Apollo Gallery, home to France’s prized collection of crown jewels.
Just 30 minutes after the museum’s opening, the two masked perpetrators utilized power tools to breach a window at precisely 9:34 a.m.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that while the thieves who entered the gallery did not appear to be armed, they did threaten five nearby security guards. The guards swiftly responded by evacuating visitors from the area to ensure their safety.
Ms. Beccuau reported on Sunday evening that the thieves shattered two display cases, seized several jewels, and then made their quick escape through the broken window. In an attempt to destroy evidence, they tried to burn the basket of the electric ladder before fleeing the scene on motorcycles.
What Priceless Treasures Were Taken?
The thieves made off with eight exquisite pieces of jewelry. These included a royal sapphire tiara, a matching necklace and earrings, a royal emerald necklace with its accompanying earrings, and both a tiara and a brooch once belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, who ruled France in the 19th century.
In a twist, authorities managed to recover a ninth item that the robbers dropped: Empress Eugénie’s magnificent crown. This stunning piece is adorned with 1,354 diamonds, 1,136 rose-cut diamonds, and 56 emeralds.
“It’s truly a tragedy because the gallery is breathtaking, and the jewels themselves are utterly captivating,” lamented Gerard Hyslop, a 55-year-old guide whose tourist group had to reschedule their Louvre visit on Monday. “If these pieces aren’t recovered, it will represent a profound loss for French culture.”
While officials have yet to disclose the total estimated value of the stolen artifacts, one piece alone offers a glimpse into their worth. A decorative bow, intricately crafted with jeweled tassels and also a former possession of Empress Eugénie, is valued by the Society of Friends of the Louvre at 6.72 million euros (approximately $7.8 million USD). This prestigious society, a private sponsor dedicated to helping the museum acquire historically significant art and objects, assisted in purchasing the bow from the United States in 2008.
Continued Closure: Why the Louvre Remains Shut
The museum confirmed on Monday that it would stay closed “following yesterday’s robbery” and assured that all visitors who had pre-booked tickets would receive full refunds.
The exact reasons for the Louvre’s prolonged closure were not immediately clear. The Paris prosecutor indicated on Sunday evening that most of the forensic work at the crime scene had been completed. The museum itself did not respond promptly to requests for further information.
Adding to the disruption, the museum is expected to remain closed for at least one more day, as it typically observes a Tuesday closure.
Originally a royal palace, the Louvre was transformed into a museum after the French Revolution. It is a monumental institution, attracting thousands of tourists daily and boasting a collection of over 33,000 works of art.
Last year alone, the Louvre welcomed approximately 8.7 million visitors, with nearly 80 percent traveling from outside France. Growing concerns over overcrowding and deteriorating infrastructure led President Macron to unveil plans for extensive renovation and expansion. These ambitious plans include relocating the Mona Lisa, the museum’s most iconic masterpiece, to its own dedicated exhibition area.
Security Under Scrutiny: What Systems Were in Place?
French politicians swiftly condemned the government for its apparent failure to safeguard valuable national heritage from a robbery that took place in broad daylight.
The Ministry of Culture confirmed that two alarms – one on the window and another on the display cases – were activated. Security guards adhered to established protocols, prioritizing visitor safety and immediately contacting law enforcement. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.
An ongoing overhaul announced by President Macron in January was already intended to establish “a new security framework that is beginning to be rolled out,” according to the culture ministry. This plan included the implementation of new cameras and a modernized command post, though the current progress of these upgrades remains unclear.
The Investigation: Are There Any Leads?
When questioned about potential leads, Prosecutor Ms. Beccuau stated that “anything is possible,” emphasizing that investigators are not discarding any theories at this early stage, including the possibility of foreign involvement. However, she noted that organized crime appeared to be a probable perpetrator.
The rapid execution of the heist strongly suggested that the thieves were highly experienced. Nevertheless, their ultimate employer and intentions for the stolen jewels remain unknown.
Ms. Beccuau speculated that a private collector might have commissioned the robbery, or that the criminals could intend to dismantle and resell or repurpose the precious stones, pearls, and metals from the jewelry.
The prosecutor also revealed that at least one of the thieves was seen wearing a yellow workman’s vest, which is currently undergoing police analysis. A dedicated team of 60 investigators is actively interviewing witnesses, meticulously examining forensic evidence, and reviewing countless hours of surveillance footage from both inside and outside the museum.
“We are absolutely determined,” she declared.
A Troubling Trend: Recent Museum Thefts
Indeed. This past September, thieves employed a blowtorch and power tools to pilfer raw gold nuggets, valued at approximately $700,000, from the National Museum of Natural History, located just a short distance from the Louvre in Paris.
During the same month, two exquisite porcelain dishes and a vase, collectively estimated at €9.5 million (around $11 million USD), were stolen from the Adrien Dubouché National Museum in Limoges, France. Furthermore, in 2024, the Cognacq-Jay Museum in Paris fell victim to a theft of elaborate snuff boxes.
“For four decades, the security of these significant museums has been neglected,” stated Rachida Dati, France’s culture minister, during a Sunday appearance on TF1 television. “We must evolve our security measures to counter new forms of criminal activity.”
Following Monday’s urgent crisis meeting, the interior ministry announced that directives would be disseminated nationwide. These instructions call for an immediate review of existing security measures at cultural institutions and their reinforcement wherever deemed necessary.
Additional reporting was provided by Catherine Porter and Daphné Anglès.