A daring daylight robbery at the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris has led to the theft of historical jewelry valued at an astonishing 88 million euros (£76m; $102m), according to a French public prosecutor who cited the museum’s curator.
The prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, described the sum as “extraordinary,” but emphasized that the loss to France’s cultural heritage is even greater. The stolen items include crown jewels and pieces gifted by Napoleon I and Napoleon III to their wives.
The robbery, carried out by four masked individuals, took less than eight minutes shortly after the museum opened on Sunday morning. They utilized power tools and a truck equipped with a mechanical lift to access the Galerie d’Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony near the River Seine. After cutting through a glass window, they threatened museum guards, leading to the evacuation of the building.
With the thieves still at large more than two days after the heist, experts are concerned that the valuable jewelry may have already been dismantled or smuggled out of the country. Authorities believe they are pursuing a highly organized and professional group, given the speed and efficiency of the operation.
Investigators found a damaged crown, previously belonging to Empress Eugenie, along the thieves’ escape route, suggesting it may have been dropped in their haste. Attempts to set fire to their getaway vehicle outside the museum were thwarted by a staff member.
The stolen pieces are said to include a diamond and emerald necklace gifted by Emperor Napoleon to his wife, a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, and several items that once belonged to Queen Marie-Amélie.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the robbery as an “attack on France’s heritage.” In response, security measures at cultural institutions across France have been intensified. A preliminary report indicated that a significant portion of the Louvre’s rooms lacked CCTV coverage, and the museum’s broader alarm system failed to activate during the incident.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged that security protocols “failed,” expressing dismay that the ease with which thieves could access the museum with a modified truck presented a “terrible image” for France.
Art recovery experts have previously warned that investigators typically have only a very short window – one to two days – to recover stolen items before they are considered lost forever. It is highly probable that the stolen jewels have been broken down into precious metals and gemstones, then smuggled out of the country to be sold at a fraction of their original value.