Thieves wearing balaclavas broke into the Louvre museum in Paris on Sunday by using a crane to smash a window on the upper floor. They then stole valuable items from an area that houses the French crown jewels before fleeing on motorcycles, as per officials. This incident has raised concerns about security at the renowned museum, with prior warnings about insufficient investment at the site, known for housing iconic artworks like the Mona Lisa. In 2024, the Louvre saw 8.7 million visitors.
President Emmanuel Macron stated on a social media platform that the theft at the Louvre was an attack on cherished heritage and history. He reassured that the stolen works would be recovered, and the culprits would face justice. The robbery occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time, while the museum was open to the public, with the thieves entering the Galerie d’Apollon wing, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
The criminals, who were unarmed, carried out the theft in about six to seven minutes, using angle grinders to threaten the guards, Beccuau mentioned. They targeted nine objects, of which eight were successfully stolen. Notably, they lost the ninth item, the crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie, during their escape.
The stolen items include valuable jewels like the tiara of Empress Eugénie and the large bodice knot of Empress Eugénie. The Regent diamond, estimated at over $60 million US, was not taken, leaving investigators puzzled. One of the thieves was identified as wearing a yellow reflective vest, which was later recovered by investigators. Additionally, the robbers attempted to set fire to the crane but failed before fleeing.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez mentioned that a specialized police unit with a high success rate in solving high-profile robberies is leading the investigation. Beccuau stated that all leads are being pursued, with the likelihood that the robbery was either ordered by a collector or carried out by thieves solely interested in the valuable jewels and metals.
The Louvre, being the world’s most-visited museum, announced its closure for the day due to “exceptional reasons.” Visitors Joan and Jim Carpenter shared their experience of being evacuated from a gallery just before viewing the Mona Lisa. This incident echoes a historic art theft when the Mona Lisa was stolen in 1911 but later recovered.
Earlier this year, the Louvre sought urgent assistance from the French government to renovate and secure its aging exhibition halls. Culture Minister Rachida Dati highlighted the long-standing issue of museum security, emphasizing the need to adapt to modern forms of crime, particularly organized crime.
