One of the world’s most famous museums, the Louvre in Paris, was forced to close on Sunday after thieves stole several royal jewels from its Galerie d’Apollon.
According to France’s interior ministry, the robbers broke in around 9:30 a.m. using small chainsaws and a goods lift after entering through a shattered window. They reportedly fled on scooters with at least nine items, including jewelry once belonging to Napoleon and Empress Eugénie.
French outlet Le Parisien reported that two pieces have already been recovered, among them, the Empress’s crown, found broken outside the museum. French authorities have described the stolen pieces as having “inestimable” historical value.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed on X that no one was injured, and police are investigating the break-in. “Beyond their market value, the goods have an inestimable heritage and historical value,” the interior ministry said in a statement. The Louvre later posted that it would remain closed “for exceptional reasons” as staff assisted investigators.
Historic theft at one of the world’s most secure museums
The Louvre has faced only a handful of confirmed thefts in its modern history. The most infamous occurred in 1911, when Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was stolen by a handyman and recovered two years later. The museum also endured looting attempts during the Nazi occupation of France in World War II, though staff successfully hid many priceless works.
This latest robbery comes months after President Emmanuel Macron announced an €800 million ($870 million) modernization plan to improve the Louvre’s security and surveillance systems, measures now under urgent review following Sunday’s breach.
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