PARIS.- At around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday 19 October 2025, museum visitors at the Louvre in Paris were evacuated when a highly professional gang forced entry into the Galerie d’Apollon and made off with eight pieces of jewellery from the former French Crown Jewels—objects described by authorities as having “inestimable” cultural and historical value.

According to French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, the raid lasted no more than four to seven minutes. The robbers used industrial-style equipment—including a basket lift and angle grinders—to breach an upper-level window of the museum’s Seine-facing façade, likely taking advantage of ongoing construction work.

Once inside, the perpetrators broke into two high-security display cases and removed the jewellery. They made their escape by motorbike, leaving behind some of their gear. One of the stolen items—an emerald and diamond-set crown once worn by Empress Eugénie—was later found outside the museum, though damaged.

The stolen items include a sapphire tiara and necklace, a single sapphire earring from a parure of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense; an emerald necklace and matching earrings from the collection of Marie-Louise (Napoleon’s second wife); and other pieces formerly owned by Empress Eugénie.

No injuries were reported. The museum announced closure for the day “for exceptional reasons” as forensic teams began sweeping the scene and reviewing CCTV footage. The Paris public prosecutor has opened an investigation into aggravated theft, criminal conspiracy and handling of stolen goods, with the case handed to the Brigade for the Repression of Banditry (BRB).

French President Emmanuel Macron called the robbery “an attack on a heritage we cherish because it is our history,” and pledged that the perpetrators will be brought to justice and the works recovered.

MUSEUM SECURITY UNDER SCRUTINY

The heist has raised profound concerns about security at one of the world’s most-visited cultural institutions. Last year the Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors—and the fact that such an audacious robbery could be carried out in broad daylight has fueled debate about staffing levels, surveillance systems and the balance between accessibility and protection.

Culture Minister Rachida Dati has emphasised that the jewels in question are “beyond their market value, they have inestimable heritage and historical value.” A new security master-plan under the “Louvre – New Renaissance” programme, announced earlier this year, is now under close review.

As investigators work around the clock, questions remain over how the thieves selected their target, how they brought equipment inside unnoticed, and whether inside assistance may have been involved. The next 48 hours are considered critical for tracking down the stolen pieces before they are broken up or smuggled out of the country entirely.

For now, the museum remains closed to the public while authorities secure the scene and conduct a full audit of the stolen items and material damage. Visitors have been asked to check in at the museum reception for updates.

What Was Stolen

The stolen treasures include:

• A sapphire tiara and necklace belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense

• A single sapphire earring from the same royal set

• An emerald necklace and matching earrings once owned by Empress Marie-Louise, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte

• A reliquary brooch

• A tiara and a large diamond bow brooch that belonged to Empress Eugénie

One of the pieces—the emerald and diamond crown of Empress Eugénie—was later found outside the museum, damaged but intact.