In a daring Sunday morning heist, thieves targeted Paris’s Louvre Museum, making off with priceless jewels from Napoleon and Empress Josephine’s imperial collection in just seven minutes. The bold daylight robbery forced the world’s most visited museum to shut its doors as police launched a major investigation.
Heist Unfolded Using Basket Lift and Cutting Tools
The gang struck around 9:30am, exploiting ongoing construction on the Seine-facing facade. They used a basket lift mounted on a flatbed lorry to reach the Apollo Gallery’s windows. Armed with disc cutters, they sliced through panes while thousands of tourists wandered inside.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez slammed it as a “major robbery” by a well-prepared gang who had clearly done their homework. After smashing display cases, the thieves grabbed jewels of “inestimable value” before speeding away on motorbikes.
Napoleon’s Imperial Jewels Targeted: Nine Pieces Stolen
- Necklace
- Brooch
- Tiara
French paper Le Parisien reports nine items vanished from the Galerie d’Apollon — a majestic hall famed for its vaulted ceiling painted by King Louis XIV’s court artist and home to parts of the French Crown Jewels collection.
However, Culture Minister Rachida Dati revealed one crown, belonging to Empress Eugénie, was later found broken and discarded near the museum. Adorned with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, the stunning royal crown is one of the collection’s crown jewels.
Its abandonment hints at panic or difficulty in transporting such a cumbersome piece during the escape.
Louvre Shuts Down as Police Hunt Organised Crime Gang
Authorities evacuated thousands of visitors for forensics after the raid, cordoning off the scene and sealing gates. Prosecutors have opened probes into organised crime and conspiracy, with officials believing 3-4 perpetrators carried out the smash-and-grab.
“I expect we will very soon find the thieves and jewels,” declared Interior Minister Nuñez.
Despite this confidence, experts warn that such historic treasures rarely surface on the market and risk vanishing into secret collections.
Security Gaps Exploited Amid Louvre’s Long History of Thefts
The robbers exploited construction work-induced vulnerabilities, raising red flags about Louvre’s security measures. Paris Centre Mayor Ariel Weil called the raid “meticulously planned” and noted it’s the first serious Louvre robbery in over a century.
The Louvre, which welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year, faces tough questions on protecting priceless cultural heritage without stifling access.
This brazen stunt follows a pattern of high-profile museum heists across Europe, including the 2019 smash-and-grab at Germany’s Green Vault and Berlin’s lost solid-gold coin in 2017.
Napoleon’s Legacy at Risk as Police Race to Recover Stolen Jewels
The Apollo Gallery’s collection showcases centuries of French royal craftsmanship, from the exquisite hardstone vessels to glittering crown jewels. Losing pieces from Napoleon and Josephine’s collection is a cultural blow as much as a financial one.
As Paris authorities hunt the motorbike-riding bandits, the world watches — wondering if one of history’s most iconic museums is still safe.
