Paris, France — The world-renowned Louvre Museum in Paris was abruptly closed on Sunday after a brazen, lightning-fast robbery saw thieves escape with “priceless jewellery,” including pieces from the collection of Napoleon and the Empress.
The stunning heist, which reportedly lasted a mere seven minutes, targeted the museum’s prized jewellery collection housed in the Apollo Gallery. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the robbery early Sunday morning, stating, “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum. No injuries reported. I’m on the site with museum staff and police.”
According to police sources, the operation was executed with dramatic efficiency. The robbers reportedly arrived on a scooter, equipped with small chainsaws, and gained entry via the museum’s under-construction Seine-facing facade. They then utilized a goods lift to reach the Apollo Gallery, where they broke windows and seized their targets.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez later confirmed the short duration of the crime and the value of the stolen goods, reporting that “priceless jewellery” was taken. French daily Le Parisien suggested the haul included “nine pieces from the jewellery collection of Napoleon and the Empress.” The value of the stolen items is currently under rigorous evaluation.
The world’s most visited museum, which houses masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, has cited “exceptional reasons” for its immediate and full-day closure as police and security teams sweep the premises and launch a full-scale investigation into the daring security breach.
While the Louvre is celebrated for its security, it has a history of high-profile thefts, including the infamous 1911 disappearance of the Mona Lisa. The latest incident, involving chainsaws and a meticulously planned escape, raises serious questions about the security protocols at one of the world’s most valuable cultural institutions.
