Authorities in Paris have launched a massive manhunt after some daring thieves pulled off a jaw-dropping daytime robbery at the Louvre, making off with nine of the museum's most valuable artifacts—including jewels that belonged to Emperor Napoleon and a crown worth £100 million.
The thieves broke into the iconic museum through a window using an aerial lift and an angle grinder, making off with nine pieces of jewelry, according to Le Parisien. French outlet Le Monde reported that the entire heist took just ten minutes, between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m. The museum was immediately evacuated and shut down as police rushed to the scene, causing panic among several visitors.
In Broad Daylight
Among the stolen items were a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara, though their full value is still being determined. The French government said forensic teams are now working to create a detailed inventory of the stolen items.
One of the priceless pieces, believed to be a crown that once belonged to Napoleon's wife, Empress Eugenie, was found damaged outside the gallery, Le Parisien reported.
"Beyond their market value, the items have inestimable heritage and historical value," the French Interior Ministry said in a statement.
The Louvre, which houses Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, is the world's most visited museum, drawing nearly 9 million visitors in 2024 and regularly welcoming more than 30,000 people each day.
In June, the museum had to shut down temporarily after a large staff walkout, with employees citing overcrowding and persistent understaffing. Unions have warned that the surge in tourism is compromising security.
The heist has ignited outrage across France, with conservatives calling it a national "humiliation" on Sunday.
"The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture. This heist, which allowed thieves to steal the Crown Jewels of France, is an intolerable humiliation for our country. How far will the decay of the state go?" Jordan Bardella, a politician with the right-wing National Rally Party wrote on X.
Without Being Noticed
Three masked thieves carried out the robbery in the Apollon Gallery on the museum's second floor, which overlooks the River Seine and is currently under construction. Le Parisien reported that the suspects were hooded and armed with "small chainsaws." One of them stayed outside while the others completed the heist.
The trio fled on two scooters, heading southeast toward the A6 highway, according to surveillance footage. A third scooter was later found abandoned, a police source told AFP.
Besides the French Crown Jewels, the Apollon Gallery is home to a collection of hardstone vessels that once belonged to King Louis XIV, as well as the famous Regent diamond, which weighs more than 140 carats.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati told reporters at the scene that no one was injured during the heist. Police rushed to the gallery as soon as the robbery was discovered, causing panic among visitors.
"The police were running near the pyramid and trying to enter the Louvre through the side glass doors, but they were locked and impossible to open," visitor Kacie told Le Parisien.
There are fears that the thieves might melt down the stolen jewelry to sell the gold, which would make it much harder to trace, according to insiders. "The risk is that some of the diamonds could be sold at retail, which would make reconstituting the jewels very difficult," a source close to the investigation told Le Parisien.
"All means are already being implemented to recover the loot," the Paris police headquarters told Le Monde.
The gallery will remain closed on Sunday due to "exceptional reasons."
