**Major Jewellery Heist at the Louvre: How Thieves Pulled Off a Daring Robbery in Paris**
On a quiet Sunday morning, one of the world’s most famous museums became the target of an audacious robbery. The Louvre Museum in Paris, renowned for its priceless art and historical treasures, was forced to close its doors to the public after thieves broke in and stole several valuable pieces of jewellery. The heist, which lasted only seven minutes, has shocked not only France but the global art community, raising serious questions about museum security and the protection of cultural heritage.
**The Robbery Unfolds**
The incident unfolded on a morning when the museum had already opened its doors to visitors. According to official statements and media reports, the thieves made their way into the Louvre by exploiting an area currently under construction. This section, located on the side of the building facing the River Seine, provided an opportunity for the well-prepared criminals. Utilizing a basket lift, they accessed the upper levels of the building from the outside. Once in position, they used a disc cutter—a powerful tool designed to cut through tough materials—to slice through the reinforced glass panes.
The group’s familiarity with the museum was evident in their methodical approach. After breaching the outer defences, the thieves quickly gained access to a freight elevator, which took them directly to their target: the Galerie d’Apollon, or Apollo Gallery. This gallery is one of the most celebrated rooms in the Louvre, housing a section of the French Crown Jewels, including items from the collections of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Eugénie.
Once inside the Apollo Gallery, the criminals moved swiftly, targeting two specific vitrines (glass display cases) containing jewellery and decorative objects of immense historical significance. Reports suggest that they used their cutting tools with precision, breaking open the cases and grabbing the selected pieces. Within a mere seven minutes, the group had completed their operation and made their escape.
**Escape and Immediate Aftermath**
Eyewitness accounts and security camera footage indicate that the thieves left the scene on two-wheelers, possibly motorcycles or scooters, which allowed for a rapid getaway through the narrow streets of central Paris. The entire operation, from entry to exit, took less than ten minutes—a testament to the perpetrators’ preparation and knowledge of the museum’s layout and security protocols.
In the immediate aftermath of the robbery, France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the incident. She reassured the public that, despite the dramatic nature of the crime, there had been no injuries among staff or visitors. “A robbery took place this morning at the Louvre. Fortunately, no injuries were reported,” Dati wrote.
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the incident as a “major robbery” and emphasized the seriousness with which authorities were treating the case. Nuñez pointed out the high level of expertise demonstrated by the criminals and their apparent inside knowledge of the museum’s operations and current construction works.
**The Stolen Treasures**
As forensic teams combed the scene and investigators began their work, museum officials undertook a detailed inventory of the stolen items. According to Le Parisien and other French news outlets, nine pieces of jewellery were taken from the Napoleon and Empress Eugénie collections. These items are considered “priceless” by both museum curators and government officials, not only due to their material value but also because of their irreplaceable historical and cultural significance.
Among the stolen items was reportedly the crown of Empress Eugénie, a piece of extraordinary craftsmanship adorned with precious stones. In a tragic twist, this crown was later found broken outside the museum, suggesting that it was either dropped during the escape or damaged intentionally, possibly in an attempt to remove the jewels.
The Galerie d’Apollon, the specific target of the heist, is world-famous for its ornate décor and its collection of the French Crown Jewels, including royal diadems, necklaces, and other ceremonial objects. Many of these items date back to the 19th century and were worn by figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Empress Eugénie, during the Second French Empire. The theft of such artifacts is not only a significant material loss but also a blow to French national heritage.
**Investigation and Security Response**
In response to the robbery, the Louvre’s management made the unprecedented decision to close the museum for