Priceless French crown jewels stolen in brazen daylight robbery at the Louvre

France’s priceless crown jewels were stolen in an armed robbery at the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday morning.

According to reports from French press outlets AFP and BFMTV, the thieves used a chainsaw and electric cutting tools to enter the museum.

The robbery occurred between 9:30 and 9:40 AM, shortly after the museum opened to the public at 9:00 AM local time.

Investigative sources told AFP that the robbers used a scooter and a construction-type lift to reach a window overlooking the Seine River, gaining access to the historic Galerie d’Apollon. This gallery is known for housing France’s crown jewels.

Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that four suspects threatened security guards with angle grinders, which they then used to smash the glass display cases.

The thieves’ operation lasted approximately seven minutes, and the suspects fled the scene on scooters before police arrived.

Eight priceless artifacts stolen

The French Ministry of Culture announced that “eight cultural heritage artifacts of incalculable value” were stolen from two high-security display cases.

Among the stolen items were an emerald and diamond necklace gifted to Napoleon’s wife, Empress Marie Louise, and a tiara belonging to Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III.

Authorities later found Eugénie’s 19th-century tiara damaged near the museum. The tiara, adorned with golden eagle figures, 1,354 diamonds, and 56 emeralds, was reportedly found broken on the pavement.

According to AFP, the thieves reached the gallery’s window on the Seine facade using an electric ladder, typically used for moving furniture.

Witnesses speaking to TF1 television said that two individuals climbed the lift, broke the window, and entered the museum within 30 seconds. A cyclist named Samir also reported seeing four people speeding away on scooters shortly after.

Museum evacuated, soldiers stand guard

The Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and the world’s most visited museum, was completely evacuated to preserve evidence and remained closed for the rest of the day.

The museum administration reported that the glass pyramid entrance was secured by soldiers, and visitors were kept behind a police cordon.

Minister Nunez: A serious security failure

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that the stolen items were taken from the Galerie d’Apollon, describing them as “priceless.”

Nunez announced that 60 detectives have been assigned to investigate the incident. The minister, a former Paris Police Prefect, stated that the robbery highlights “a serious failure in the security of France’s national museums.”

Additionally, the Ministry of Culture reported that the thieves’ haul included a necklace from a sapphire jewelry set belonging to Queen Marie Amélie and Queen Hortense, as well as emerald earrings belonging to Marie Louise.

A source close to the investigation told AFP that the famous Regent Diamond, estimated by Sotheby’s to be worth over $60 million, was not among the stolen artifacts.

“Jewels are unsellable in their current state”

The director of the Drouot auction house in Paris told the LCI channel that the stolen jewels are “completely unsellable” in their current form.

The director noted, however, that there is a possibility the stones and metals could be dismantled and introduced into the market.

Macron: This is an attack on our history

In a post on the social media platform X, French President Emmanuel Macron described the event as “an attack on our heritage, which is a part of our history.”

Macron stated, “We will recover these artifacts, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”

A series of similar museum robberies have occurred across France in recent months. Gold specimens worth approximately 600,000 euros were stolen from the Paris Natural History Museum, and artifacts valued at 6.5 million euros were stolen from a museum in the city of Limoges.

The Louvre, originally built as a royal palace during the reign of Louis XIV, has rarely experienced a large-scale robbery in the modern era.

The museum’s most famous theft occurred in 1911 when an Italian worker stole the Mona Lisa; the painting was recovered two years later.

President Macron had announced earlier in the year that the Louvre would undergo a major renovation, which would include the implementation of new security measures.

Minister of Culture Rachida Dati had also shared details of this plan with the public.

Police are continuing their investigation into Sunday’s robbery. Based on security camera footage and witness statements, they are attempting to track the four suspects who were identified fleeing towards central Paris on scooters.