Louvre heist steals French crown jewels

A coordinated daytime break-in at the Louvre resulted in the theft of eight pieces from the French crown jewels, officials said. Four balaclava-clad suspects used a cherry picker to reach a second-floor window of the Apollo Gallery, cut their way in with power tools, smashed display cases and fled on motorcycles in an operation that investigators say lasted under ten minutes. Alarms went off and visitors were present; authorities reported no injuries.

The stolen items—tiaras, necklaces, a brooch and earrings—are linked to France’s imperial past, including pieces associated with Empress Eugénie, Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense. Museum staff and investigators later recovered one damaged item, believed to be Empress Eugénie’s crown, discarded near the museum. High-profile pieces such as the Regent Diamond were not taken. Officials described the loot as of “inestimable” historical value and said a precise inventory is being compiled.

Interior and culture ministers dispatched a specialised police unit to lead the probe, with forensic teams reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence. Authorities said the group appeared to be professionally organised and had likely scouted the location beforehand. The Louvre closed “for exceptional reasons” while investigators worked on-site.

The theft exposed troubling security gaps at the world’s most-visited museum and prompted swift political reactions. The president pledged recovery of the works and prosecution of the perpetrators, while opposition figures seized on the incident to criticise state stewardship of national heritage. Museum officials noted that security had been strengthened in recent years and said further reinforcements are planned as part of a broader multi-million-euro overhaul.

Visitors and security experts expressed shock that such a brazen operation could unfold in daylight, with one witness calling it “unbelievable” that thieves could access a window and remove jewels amid crowds. The episode revived memories of past Louvre incidents, including the historic 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, and raised fresh questions about protecting the museum’s vast collections—more than 33,000 objects—where protective measures vary by item.

As the hunt for the suspects continues, authorities warned that the unique nature of the stolen pieces makes them difficult to sell openly and urged rapid action to prevent them disappearing into illicit markets.