Spectacular heist at the Louvre – Napoleon’s Jewels have vanished

On Sunday morning (October 19, 2025), one of the boldest robberies in the history of French museology took place. Three or four masked criminals stole priceless crown jewels from the Apollo Gallery in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

 

The Course of Events

The theft occurred around 9:30 a.m., just after the museum opened to visitors. The perpetrators took advantage of ongoing renovation work at the building, arriving in a truck equipped with a boom lift from the Seine side and using an external freight elevator to reach the Apollo Gallery on the first floor.

The criminals broke the windows, likely using an angle grinder to cut through the protective glass. They then smashed two display cases and stole jewelry that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais. After the theft, they fled on scooters toward the A6 highway.

The entire operation lasted only seven minutes – emphasized Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.

 

What Was Stolen?

According to French media reports, nine exhibits were stolen, including diamond necklaces, tiaras, brooches, and diadems. They were part of a collection of 23 items from various historical periods — before the French Revolution of 1789, as well as from the First and Second Empires.

The value of the stolen items is estimated in the tens of millions of euros, but Minister Nunez described them as having “inestimable value” and representing “a true cultural heritage of France.”

The famous Regent Diamond, one of the gallery’s most valuable exhibits, was not stolen.

 

First Breakthrough for Investigators

On Sunday afternoon, Minister of Culture Rachida Dati announced that one of the stolen jewels had been found near the museum. According to the newspaper “Le Parisien,” it was a damaged crown belonging to Empress Marie Louise, Napoleon’s wife. The thieves likely abandoned it during their escape. The item is currently undergoing detailed examination.

 

Government Reactions

Minister of Culture Rachida Dati and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez immediately arrived at the scene. “No one was injured,” Dati assured, adding that an intensive investigation was underway.

President Emmanuel Macron is receiving real-time updates on the situation. Politicians from across the political spectrum condemned the robbery — far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella called the theft “a humiliation for France.”

 

Museum Closed

The Louvre remained closed to visitors throughout Sunday. It is not yet known when the museum will reopen its doors. This is one of the most serious incidents in the Louvre’s history since the famous theft of the “Mona Lisa” in 1911, carried out by museum employee Vincenzo Peruggia.

 

Security Concerns

Minister Nunez emphasized that the criminals acted with high professionalism and clearly had detailed knowledge of the site. “This was a very serious robbery, and the perpetrators appear to be very experienced in such operations,” he stated.

The incident once again raises questions about the security of artworks and protection procedures in the world’s largest museums — especially since the museum has been undergoing major renovation work in recent months. In June, Louvre employees protested, citing, among other things, problems with security systems.

A manhunt for the perpetrators is underway. The police expressed hope for the swift capture of the criminals and, above all, the recovery of the stolen treasures that are part of France’s national heritage.