Paris’s Louvre Museum Closed Following Theft of ‘Priceless’ Royal Jewels

A manhunt is underway after a gang of masked thieves carried out a bold daylight raid on Paris’s Louvre Museum, escaping with royal jewels described as “priceless” and “of immeasurable heritage value,” French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Sunday.

The burglary, which lasted only minutes, took place shortly after the world-famous museum opened to visitors. According to authorities, the gang used a mechanical ladder to reach a first-floor window before breaking into display cases inside the Galerie d’Apollon (Gallery of Apollo), home to France’s royal jewels.

Investigators said four suspects were involved, with two entering the building and threatening security guards. Using battery-powered disc cutters, the thieves smashed through glass cases and made off with nine items dating from France’s 19th-century royalty, including diamond- and emerald-encrusted pieces that once belonged to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III.

Among the stolen items were a pair of emerald earrings and a brooch belonging to the empress. Her crown, however, was recovered near the scene, apparently dropped by the thieves as they fled. The ornate crown, decorated with golden eagles, 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, is now being checked for damage, the Louvre confirmed.

Police said the thieves escaped on mopeds after abandoning their vehicle-mounted extendable ladder near the River Seine. “The gang tried to set fire to the vehicle before they left, but they were prevented by a member of museum staff,” France’s culture ministry stated. No injuries were reported.

The Louvre was swiftly evacuated and remained closed for the day as investigators scoured the site. Tourists arriving at the museum were turned away by police officers, unaware of the unfolding investigation.

American visitors Jim and Joan Carpenter described the confusion as they were ushered out of the building. “We were about to see Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa when security guards swept us out of the gallery,” Mrs Carpenter told Reuters.
“I knew something was up because of the way they swept the whole museum,” she added.
Mr Carpenter said there was “lots of confusion” and that guards told them there were “technical difficulties.” He added, “But it’s great. This is our last day of a long trip and it’s the most exciting part today.”

Experts say criminals often target jewels rather than artwork, as gems can be broken down and sold for cash, making them harder to trace. Still, Nuñez emphasised that the loss went far beyond financial value. “The stolen pieces have a cultural and historical value that could not be calculated,” he said.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the high-profile theft, one of the most audacious in recent French history.