Four masked thieves, on Sunday, Oct. 19, carried out a daring daylight robbery at the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo), a 16th-century hall within the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, specifically on the south side of the building facing the Seine River, stealing eight to nine pieces of historically significant crown jewels in less than eight minutes.
The stolen items, valued at $102 million, include pieces from the French royal family's history, a diamond and emerald necklace from Napoleon I, a tiara worn by Empress Eugénie, and a sapphire set once belonging to Queen Marie-Amelie, with the Regent diamond, valued at over $60 million, reportedly left behind by the thieves.
The robbery, occurred at about 9:30 a.m., shortly after the museum opened, and was executed with remarkable speed and precision by a team of professionals. The heist involved a truck-mounted mechanical lift to access a second-floor balcony, followed by the use of power tools to break through a glass window.
The thieves used a monte-meubles (a furniture hoist truck) to reach the balcony near the River Seine, climbed up with a mechanical lift, and entered the museum through a glass window using angle grinders and other power tools. After threatening museum guards, who evacuated the building, the thieves smashed two display cases and stole the jewellery before escaping on two scooters.
The thieves fled on scooters, leaving behind a damaged crown and equipment, and authorities believe the jewels have likely been broken down for their precious metals and gems, making recovery extremely difficult.
A damaged crown belonging to Empress Eugénie was found near the escape route, and the thieves attempted to set fire to their vehicle but were thwarted by a museum staff member.
The Louvre remains closed for investigations as of Tuesday, with no official reopening date announced; refunds are being issued to ticket holders.
French authorities have launched a nationwide manhunt, led by the Paris police's Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB) unit, which specializes in high-profile robberies.
Experts warn that the jewels are likely already being dismantled, with recovery efforts having only a few days before the items are lost forever.
This heist is the first major theft from the Louvre since 1998 and follows a recent spate of museum robberies in France, including a gold theft from the Natural History Museum and a porcelain heist in Limoges.
The incident has sparked national outrage, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling it an "attack on France's heritage" and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin admitting security failures.
The theft has reignited debate over museum security, with critics pointing to a recent spate of museum robberies in France, including a $11 million porcelain theft from the Adrien Dubouche Museum in Limoges and a gold heist from the National Museum of Natural History.
Critics of the museum security, allege that the Louvre's security chief, Dominique Buffin, was appointed as part of a "feminization policy" or "diversity hire" by director Laurence Des Cars.
The Louvre had previously requested government funding for a major renovation and security upgrade as part of President Macron’s New Renaissance project, which includes reinforced security.
