A major theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris forced the closure of the museum this Sunday, according to French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.

Thieves entered from the exterior using a lifting platform and specialized tools, stealing nine jewels from the Napoleonic and Empress Eugenie collection in an operation that lasted only seven minutes. 

Minister Nuñez described the incident as a “major theft,” noting that the perpetrators conducted prior reconnaissance, cutting glass with power tools to access the Galerie d’Apollon, where the jewels are displayed. Police cordoned off nearby roads as thousands of tourists were evacuated.

The Louvre announced the closure for “exceptional reasons,” without giving additional details about the theft or the affected pieces. 

Le Parisien reported that the thieves exploited the Seine-side facade, where construction is underway, and used a construction lift to reach the gallery directly. After the theft, one piece, reportedly Empress Eugenie’s crown, was found damaged outside the museum. No injuries were reported. 

Authorities later confirmed that the recovered piece showed fractures, suggesting it broke during the escape. The investigation remains open to determine the condition of the remaining jewels and reconstruct the thieves’ path before and after the heist. 

That houses the Louvre

Louvre houses thousands of small objects, such as jewels, amulets, and archaeological fragments, representing a security challenge due to their high value and portability. French Crown jewels stand out for their historical and symbolic importance and are particularly vulnerable to the black market.

The museum also preserves miniatures, medals, medieval reliquaries, and valuable graphic works. Louvre has a history of notable thefts: in 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen and recovered two years later; in 1983, two Renaissance armor pieces were stolen and recovered decades later.

Galerie d’Apollon, scene of this latest theft, houses some of France’s most emblematic objects, attracting up to 30,000 visitors daily, highlighting the scale of Sunday’s audacious heist.