Paris, Oct 19: The Louvre Museum in Paris was closed on Sunday after robbers made off with several historic jewels from its collection, prompting an immediate investigation by French authorities.
France’s culture minister, Rachida Dati, confirmed the incident, saying a robbery took place early Sunday morning as the museum was opening. “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum,” Dati wrote on X, adding that she was at the site and that an investigation was underway.
The museum announced on its website that it would remain closed “for exceptional reasons,” without giving further details about the heist. Officials confirmed that no one was injured during the incident.
According to Le Parisien, the thieves accessed the world’s most visited museum through the Seine-facing facade, where construction work is ongoing. They allegedly used a freight elevator to reach the Apollo Gallery directly, broke windows, and escaped with “nine pieces from the jewellery collection of Napoleon and the Empress.”
The Galerie d’Apollon, where the theft reportedly occurred, houses a prized selection of the French Crown Jewels. The stolen items are believed to be part of the museum’s historical collection linked to France’s imperial period.
The Louvre, a former royal palace and home to over 33,000 works of art, has faced several high-profile thefts in its history. The most infamous occurred in 1911 when the Mona Lisa was stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia, a former museum worker who concealed the painting under his coat and walked out. It was recovered two years later in Florence.
In 1983, two Renaissance-era suits of armour were taken and recovered only decades later. The museum’s holdings also include items seized during the Napoleonic wars—collections that continue to raise restitution questions today.
The Louvre draws up to 30,000 visitors daily and remains one of the world’s most secure and symbolically important cultural institutions. The latest heist, however, has raised fresh concerns about security at the museum.
French police have launched a full investigation, while forensic teams were seen combing the area near the Apollo Gallery. Authorities have not disclosed the value of the stolen jewels or whether any suspects have been identified.
