The iconic Louvre Museum in Paris remained shuttered on Monday as authorities launched a massive manhunt for four audacious thieves. The gang pulled off a spectacular jewel robbery the previous day, executing their brazen plan in under ten minutes.
This stunning theft of what officials described as priceless jewels shocked France and has raised uncomfortable questions about security at the world-renowned cultural institution.
“This morning, the French people, for the most part, feel as though they have been robbed,” declared Gérald Darmanin, France’s justice minister, during an interview with France Inter radio on Monday. He drew parallels to the Notre-Dame fire, stating, “In the same way that when Notre-Dame burned, it was our church that was burning — even if you weren’t Catholic — such an incredible jewelry robbery at the Louvre looks bad.”
Mr. Darmanin candidly admitted, “We cannot completely secure all locations. But what is certain is that we have failed.”
A Symbol of French Culture Under Attack
The Louvre, originally a royal palace, was transformed into a museum after the French Revolution. Today, it stands as a potent symbol of French culture, drawing millions of tourists daily to its vast collection of over 33,000 works of art spread across a sprawling labyrinth of wings and courtyards.
On Monday, the museum confirmed its continued closure “following yesterday’s robbery,” assuring ticket holders of full refunds. French media had previously reported that the museum would open, and it was not immediately clear what had prompted the change.
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. The French interior and culture ministers convened an emergency meeting on Monday, underscoring the gravity with which authorities are treating the incident.
Daring Daylight Heist Targets Crown Jewels
In a bold move executed in broad daylight, merely 30 minutes after the Louvre opened its doors, masked thieves employed an electric ladder and grinders to breach the security of the second-floor Apollo Gallery, which contains France’s historic collection of crown jewels, as confirmed by official reports.
The thieves made their escape on motor scooters, carrying away eight priceless pieces of jewelry, including a magnificent royal sapphire necklace, a stunning royal emerald necklace with its matching earrings, and an exquisite diadem once worn by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, France’s 19th-century emperor.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated on Sunday evening to BFMTV that while the thieves did not appear to be overtly armed, they had verbally threatened the museum’s security agents. This prompted a swift evacuation of the few visitors already present in the gallery.