Thieves broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris, the world’s largest museum, and stole priceless jewels. Using a crane to smash an upstairs window, they targeted the French crown jewels and fled on motorbikes. The heist occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, shortly after the museum opened.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati said the robbery lasted about four minutes and was executed by professionals who calmly smashed display cases and took their loot without violence. One piece, believed to be Empress Eugénie’s crown, was found damaged outside, likely dropped during the escape. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported three or four thieves used a truck-mounted crane to access the museum and stole jewels of significant historical value.
Police have cordoned off the Louvre and nearby roads amid concerns about the museum’s security. The Louvre, a former royal palace from 1546 turned museum in 1793, houses over 35,000 artworks, including the Mona Lisa, and drew 8.7 million visitors in 2024.
The museum announced on X: “The Musée du Louvre will remain closed today for exceptional reasons.”
