The Louvre Museum in Paris remains closed as French authorities investigate a daring daylight robbery that saw masked thieves make off with crown jewels of “immeasurable heritage value” from the museum’s famed Galerie d’Apollon. The break-in took place Sunday morning between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m., just after the museum opened its doors to visitors.
Investigators say the robbers used a hydraulic or mechanical ladder mounted on a vehicle to access a first-floor window overlooking the River Seine. They then cut through glass panes with power tools — possibly an angle grinder or chainsaw — to enter the gallery. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati said CCTV footage showed the thieves moving “calmly and professionally” as they smashed display cases containing the jewels before fleeing on scooters. No injuries were reported during the heist, which officials described as highly coordinated and executed in under ten minutes.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said investigators believe three or four individuals were involved, with security footage along the escape route now under review. One witness described scenes of “total panic” as police evacuated the museum and sealed off entrances.
Authorities have not confirmed the full list of stolen items, but the Gallery of Apollo houses the French Crown Jewels, including pieces once owned by Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. One item, believed to be the Empress’s crown, was found dropped outside the museum during the escape. The famous Regent Diamond, the gallery’s centrepiece, remains secure.
Officials called the stolen pieces “priceless,” noting their immense cultural and historical significance. The Louvre has temporarily closed “for exceptional reasons” as police and heritage experts assess the damage.
The heist recalls past high-profile thefts from French museums, including the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa and several recent robberies targeting national collections. Just weeks ago, porcelain works worth €9.5 million were stolen from the Adrien Dubouché Museum in Limoges, while other Paris museums have faced similar attacks in the past year — suggesting a surge in organized art crime across France.
As security around the Louvre tightens once again, the theft of Napoleon-era treasures has reignited concerns over the vulnerability of the world’s most visited museum and its priceless artifacts.