Photo of the Louvre
The Louvre Museum, a global cultural icon attracting over eight million visitors annually, was the victim of a cinematic-style robbery this Sunday, October 19, evoking the fictional exploits of Arsène Lupin. Three or four hooded individuals broke into the Apollo Gallery after climbing a ladder next to the Seine River, stealing nine historical pieces from the French Crown jewels, belonging to Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie’s collection. The assault, which lasted only seven minutes, has shocked the art world and activated a vast police operation in France.
The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., coinciding with the museum's opening. According to statements from the Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, the criminals accessed the premises from outside using a construction ladder installed on a truck. They forced a window with a power tool, broke the security display cases, and extracted the jewels with an efficiency suggesting meticulous planning, possibly with prior reconnaissance. Two thieves operated inside while a third provided logistical support outside.
Among the stolen items are a set of jewels, a necklace, earrings, two crowns (including that of Empress Eugenie), and a brooch. Nuñez described the pieces as of "priceless value," prioritizing their historical significance over any monetary appraisal. Fortunately, the famous Regent diamond, weighing over 140 carats and one of the most treasured gems in the collection, was untouched.
During their escape, the robbers abandoned Eugenie's crown, found broken near the museum, as confirmed by the Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, based on reports from Le Parisien. No injuries were reported, but panic overtook the tourists present. Thousands were quickly evacuated, turning the iconic courtyard of the glass pyramid into a scene of organized chaos, with blocked streets and police helicopters in the air.
The Louvre communicated through its account on X (formerly Twitter) the complete closure of the museum for "exceptional reasons," a measure that lasted 24 hours to preserve evidence and facilitate the work of investigators. Surveillance cameras captured part of the event, and the Paris Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation for organized theft and unlawful association, entrusted to the Brigade for the Suppression of Crime (BRB) and the Central Office for the Trafficking of Cultural Goods.
Emerald earrings of Maria Luisa of Austria, a wedding gift from Napoleon in 1810
Eugenie of Montijo's pearl tiara.
Set of sapphires and diamonds of Queen Maria Amalia.
This is not the first robbery at the Louvre, whose history overflows with legendary thefts that have inspired literature, cinema, and ethical discussions. The most famous dates back to 1911 when Vincenzo Peruggia, a former Italian employee, hid in the museum, took down the Mona Lisa from its frame, and fled with the painting rolled up under his coat. The work of Leonardo da Vinci was recovered two years later in Florence, an episode that boosted its universal fame.
Other incidents include the theft of two Renaissance armors in 1983, recovered nearly 40 years later, and the disappearance in 1998 of a canvas by Camille Corot, still unresolved. These events, along with the Napoleonic looting that continues to provoke international restitution claims, highlight the dual role of the Louvre: guardian of treasures since its origin as a fortress in the 12th century and its conversion into a museum in 1793, but also a recurring target of human ambition.
As French authorities intensify their search, the robbery raises questions about security in global cultural institutions. The government promises swift results, yet the art world fears that these unique pieces will be lost in the black market, perpetuating a cycle of greed that transcends centuries. It is a significant loss of very valuable history; the robbery entails the disappearance of objects that may never be seen again; all that remains is to wait.
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