In a Hollywood-style robbery, masked thieves stormed the Louvre yesterday morning and stole eight priceless crown jewels in broad daylight — in less than seven minutes.
The daring raid unfolded at 9:30 a.m., just after the museum opened. Eyewitnesses say four men used a truck-mounted lift to reach a second-floor window, then cut their way inside with angle grinders. Inside the Galerie d’Apollon, they smashed display cases and grabbed tiaras, necklaces, diadems, and earrings once worn by Napoleon’s empresses.
Among the treasures stolen: an emerald-and-diamond necklace of Empress Marie Louise, the sparkling diadem of Empress Eugénie, and other historic Napoleonic jewels. One diadem was dropped during the escape, later recovered — but damaged. The total value of the loot is estimated at €88 million ($102 million).
Thieves sped away on motorcycles, leaving a stunned museum staff and security in chaos. Police have made seven arrests and are scouring Paris for the remaining culprits. DNA traces were found in helmets and gloves left at the scene.
The heist has thrown a spotlight on major security lapses at the Louvre. France’s Court of Auditors found less than 40 percent of rooms under CCTV surveillance. Culture Minister Rachida Dati vowed a full overhaul, saying, “We will protect our national treasures.”
President Emmanuel Macron called the theft “an attack on our history,” while the museum remains closed to visitors as investigators comb for clues.
The world watches in disbelief: France’s crown jewels, stolen in daylight — right under the eyes of the world’s most famous museum.
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