Multiple robbers have broken into the Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing jewellery with “inestimable heritage and historical value”.<\/p>\n
The robbers reportedly arrived at the museum on motorbikes around 9.30am local time on Sunday.<\/p>\n
They then used a basket lift to reach a window where they broke in with a disc cutter, France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said.<\/p>\n
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The thieves used a basket lift to break into the Louvre Museum in Paris. (AP: Alexander Turnbull)<\/p>\n
Le Parisien reported the thieves entered via the Seine-facing side, where construction is underway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When inside they targeted the “Apollo’s Gallery”, which displays a selection of the remaining French Crown Jewels, Mr Nunez said.<\/p>\n
France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati said the robbery only took four minutes.<\/p>\n
“They don’t target people, they enter calmly in four minutes, smash display cases, take their loot, and leave. No violence, very professional,” she told French television.<\/p>\n
The Louvre said on X it was closing today “for exceptional reasons”.<\/p>\n
The interior ministry said no injuries were reported.<\/p>\n
The investigation begins<\/p>\n
The French interior ministry released a statement saying: “The investigation has begun, and a detailed list of the stolen items is being compiled”.<\/p>\n
“Beyond their market value, these items have inestimable heritage and historical value,” the statement read.<\/p>\n
Whilst the value of the jewellery is still being estimated, Mr Nunez said that it was “priceless”.<\/p>\n
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Forensic police officers investigated the scene after the robbery at the Louvre.\u00a0 (Reuters: Gonzalo Fuentes)<\/p>\n
Le Parisien reported that nine pieces of jewellery from the Napoleon and the Empress collection were stolen.<\/p>\n
French authorities found a damaged 19th-century crown near the Louvre after it was robbed Sunday.<\/p>\n
The crown once belonging to Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, features golden eagles and is covered in 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, according to the museum’s website.<\/p>\n
Risk of theft at the Louvre<\/p>\n
Home to more than 33,000 works, including Leonardo da Vinci\u2019s Mona Lisa, staffing and protection have been flashpoints at the Louvre.<\/p>\n
With 9 million visitors in 2024, the Louvre is the worlds most visited museum, which unions have warned strains security.<\/p>\n
The museum delayed opening in June this year due to a staff strike over chronic understaffing and mass tourism.<\/p>\n
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The Louvre is home to some of the world’s most famous artworks, including the Mona Lisa. (Reuters: Gonzalo Fuentes)<\/p>\n
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a decade long “Louvre New Renaissance” plan which will see roughly \u20ac700 million ($1.25 billion) spent to modernise infrastructure, ease crowding and give the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece its own dedicated gallery by 2031.<\/p>\n
But workers at the museum say relief has been slow to reach the floor.<\/p>\n