In a shocking and audacious robbery, burglars broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris through a construction site, using a lift and power tools to gain access. According to France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, the thieves made away with eight priceless pieces of jewellery, described as treasures of “unmeasurable heritage value.”
The heist occurred around 9:30 a.m. (07:30 GMT) on Sunday, just after the museum had opened its doors to visitors. The culprits stormed into the Galerie d’Apollon (Apollo’s Gallery) — the section of the museum that houses the French crown jewels — and executed their plan with precision and speed.
Authorities revealed that the entire operation lasted just four minutes. In their rush to escape, the thieves dropped one item — the crown belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III — which was later recovered nearby. The remaining eight items, however, remain missing.
“Beyond their market value, these items hold priceless heritage and historical significance,” the Ministry of the Interior stated, confirming that no injuries were reported among visitors, staff, or law enforcement officers during the incident.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the operation as highly professional. “We arrived within minutes after being alerted. To be completely honest, this robbery lasted barely four minutes — it was extremely swift and meticulously executed. These are clearly professionals,” she said.
The Louvre Museum, renowned as the world’s most-visited art institution and home to the legendary Mona Lisa, announced on its official X (formerly Twitter) account that it would remain closed for the day due to the “exceptional circumstances.”
The heist has sent shockwaves through France and the global art community, raising serious questions about security at one of the world’s most protected cultural landmarks. An investigation is currently underway to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen treasures.
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