Thieves Strike Louvre in Bold Daylight Heist, Steal Priceless Jewels
BREAKING: Thieves executed a brazen heist at the Louvre Museum this morning, snatching priceless jewels in just seven minutes. The audacious robbery unfolded around 9:30 a.m. local time, while tourists were already inside the world’s most visited museum, prompting an immediate closure as police sealed off the area.
Authorities confirm that the thieves accessed the museum using a basket lift and forced open a window to smash display cases, stealing items of “inestimable value,” according to France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Videos show bewildered visitors being evacuated as police shut down the iconic glass pyramid and surrounding streets along the Seine.
Interior Minister Nuñez described the incident as a “major robbery,” revealing that the thieves employed a disc cutter to break through glass panes. He stated, “It was manifestly a team that had done scouting,” indicating prior planning. The stolen jewels are believed to include pieces from the collections of Napoleon and Empress Eugénie, with one notable item reported to have been found outside the museum.
The heist occurred in the Galerie d’Apollon, which showcases part of the French Crown Jewels beneath a ceiling painted by court artist Charles Le Brun. The theft comes at a time when security measures at the Louvre are under scrutiny, especially following staffing challenges faced by museum workers.
The museum was closed for the day, citing “exceptional reasons,” as forensic teams began an inventory of the stolen items. Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the robbery on social media platform X, stating, “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum.” No injuries have been reported amid the chaos.
Security at the Louvre has been a hot topic, especially after a series of thefts across European museums in recent years. This incident echoes past high-profile robberies, including the 2019 theft of royal jewels from Dresden’s Green Vault and the 2010 heist at Paris’s Museum of Modern Art.
As the investigation unfolds, experts are raising questions about the museum’s current security protocols. Just earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a €700 million plan to modernize the Louvre’s infrastructure, which aims to improve visitor management and ease overcrowding by 2031.
The Louvre, which welcomes up to 30,000 visitors daily, is home to over 33,000 works, including masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. As the world watches, officials are focused on recovering the stolen treasures and ensuring the safety of the museum’s renowned collection.
NEXT STEPS: Authorities will continue their investigation, and updates are expected as forensic teams compile a complete inventory of the stolen items. The Louvre’s future security measures will likely be reevaluated in light of this incident, emphasizing the need for robust protection against such daring thefts in the heart of Paris.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
