In a daring daylight robbery, the Louvre Museum in Paris was forced to shut down as thieves executed a meticulously planned heist targeting France’s invaluable crown jewels. The incident, which occurred on Sunday morning between 9:30 and 9:40 local time, has left the nation in shock. The perpetrators, armed with power tools, breached the museum’s security by using a mechanical ladder to access the Galerie d’Apollon via a balcony near the River Seine. They then cut through glass panes with an angle grinder or chainsaw to enter the museum. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the thieves as ‘experienced’ and ‘very professional,’ noting that they entered ‘calmly’ and smashed display cases containing the jewels. The thieves made their escape on scooters, leaving behind a scene of ‘total panic’ as the museum was evacuated. Authorities have not yet confirmed which items were stolen, but the targeted wing houses jewels from France’s royal past. One item, possibly the crown of Empress Eugénie, was found outside the museum, apparently dropped during the escape. The Regent Diamond, a 140-carat centerpiece of the gallery, was reportedly not stolen. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the stolen jewels as ‘priceless’ and ‘of immeasurable heritage value.’ This incident is part of a recent spate of thefts targeting French museums, including the Adrien Dubouche Museum in Limoges and the Cognacq-Jay Museum in Paris. The Louvre, which has faced high-profile thefts in the past, including the infamous 1911 Mona Lisa heist, has since implemented stringent security measures. However, this latest breach raises questions about the effectiveness of current security protocols.