In a shocking daylight raid, a group of thieves stormed the world-renowned Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday, making away with several priceless French crown jewels in a meticulously executed operation that lasted just seven minutes.
Armed with power tools, the suspects smashed two high-security display cases inside the Gallerie d’Apollon, which houses France’s historic royal jewels. They managed to seize eight irreplaceable items, including the emerald-and-diamond necklace once gifted by Napoleon to Empress Marie Louise, and the crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III.
Authorities said the robbers dropped one of the stolen artifacts — a 19th-century gem-encrusted crown — while fleeing the scene. The crown was later recovered nearby, albeit damaged.
The Louvre, the world’s most visited museum and home to the Mona Lisa, was immediately evacuated and closed to the public as police launched a massive manhunt.
Paris Chief Prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that investigators are searching for a team of four suspects, who reportedly threatened museum guards using the same power tools used to break into the display cases.
“It was like a scene from a Hollywood movie,” said Talia Ocampo, an American tourist who witnessed the aftermath. “We couldn’t believe it — the Louvre was closed because of a robbery. It’s something we’ll never forget.”
French President Emmanuel Macron reacted swiftly on social media, assuring the public that “everything is being done” to catch the perpetrators and recover the stolen artifacts.
The French Ministry of Culture described the incident as a “devastating blow to the nation’s cultural heritage,” confirming that a team of 60 investigators has been assigned to the case.
Experts say the stolen items are “unsellable” due to their historic significance and public recognition, raising speculation that the thieves may attempt to ransom them or dismantle them for parts.
The daring theft is the latest in a series of heists targeting cultural institutions across France in recent months, sparking renewed concerns about museum security and the protection of national treasures.
