In a brazen act of theft that has shaken the art world, the Louvre Museum in Paris fell victim to a meticulously planned heist targeting the French crown jewels. The robbery, which occurred in the Apollo Gallery on Sunday morning, is being described as the most audacious since the infamous disappearance of the Mona Lisa in 1911. The gang, described by France’s new Interior Minister Laurent Nunez as highly professional, executed the theft in just seven minutes, leaving authorities grappling with serious questions about the security of French cultural treasures. The thieves used a truck equipped with an elevating platform to access the first floor, where they cut through a window to enter the gallery. Once inside, they targeted two display cases containing remnants of the French crown jewels, including diadems, necklaces, earrings, and brooches. Among the stolen items was the Empress Eugénie Brooch, a priceless artifact from the 19th century. The gang’s swift and calculated operation highlights the growing sophistication of criminal groups targeting museums. Despite the alarms sounding correctly and the prompt response of museum staff, the thieves managed to escape with their loot. The incident has reignited concerns about the vulnerability of French museums, particularly in light of recent thefts of gold and porcelain from other institutions. Authorities are now racing against time to recover the stolen jewels, which are at risk of being dismantled and sold on the black market. The Louvre, home to thousands of globally renowned artworks, has historically maintained tight security, making this heist all the more alarming. The investigation is ongoing, but the likelihood of recovering the jewels intact remains uncertain.
Stolen treasures, a crown in the gutter – and serious questions for Louvre security
