Lou-dunnit?
Professional thieves broke into the Louvre Sunday morning — stealing priceless jewels that belonged to Emperor Napoleon in a brazen daylight heist in Paris.
The robbers used an aerial lift and an angle grinder to break in through the window of the iconic French attraction, before making off with nine pieces of jewelry, Le Parisien reported.
French Police officers seal off the entrance to the Louvre Museum after a jewellery heist on October 19, 2025 in Paris, France. Getty Images
A window believed to have been used in the incident. REUTERS
Members of a forensic team inspect the window. REUTERS
The gang was in an out in just 10 minute — between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m., French outlet Le Monde reported.
The museum was evacuated and closed as police swarmed the area — sparking panic among some tourists.
Among the items snatched were a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara — the exact worth of which are still being calculated.
Officials said that the heist lasted seven minutes. AFP via Getty Images
Investigators found a power saw at the scene. Poitout Florian/ABACA/Shutterstock
Forensic work is now underway to compile a detailed list of what was stolen. REUTERS
Forensic work is now underway to compile a detailed list of what was stolen, the French government said.
One of the precious items, believed to be a crown belonging to Napoleon’s wife, Empress Eugenie, was discovered damaged outside the gallery, according to Le Parisien.
“Beyond their market value, the items have inestimable heritage and historical value,” the French Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Portrait of Eugenie de Montijo (1826-1920). De Agostini via Getty Images
The Louvre, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s painting The Mona Lisa, is the world’s most popular museum, attracting nearly 9 million visitors in 2024, regularly drawing more than 30,000 a day.
In June, the museum was forced to close after a mass staff walkout, with workers blaming overcrowding and chronic understaffing.
Unions have claimed mass tourism is putting security at risk.
Police officers work at a crane believed to have been used in the heist. REUTERS
French police officers stand next to a furniture elevator used by robbers to enter the Louvre Museum. AFP via Getty Images
The iconic Louvre Museum in Paris shuttered its doors on Sunday after a theft took place, according to France’s culture minister. Donald Pearsall / NY Post Design
The news has sparked fury in France, with conservatives branding the scandal a national “humiliation” on Sunday.
“The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture. This heist, which allowed thieves to steal the Crown Jewels of France, is an intolerable humiliation for our country. How far will the decay of the state go?” Jordan Bardella, a politician with the right-wing National Rally Party wrote on X.
Three masked thieves were involved in the crime, which took place in the Apollon Gallery on the second floor of the museum, overlooking the River Seine, at a part of the building where construction work is currently taking place.
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The group were hooded and were carrying “small chainsaws,” according to Le Parisien.
One of the robbers waited outside for the others before they made their escape.
They made off on two scooters, heading in the direction of the A6 highway, traveling southeast out of Paris, video surveillance footage shows.
A third scooter was found abandoned after the escape, a police source told AFP.
As well as the French Crown Jewels, the Appollon Gallery also houses a hardstone vessel collection that once belonged to French King Louis XIV, as well as the famous Regent diamond, weighing at over 140 carats.
No one was injured in the raid, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati told reporters at the scene.
Police quickly swarmed on the gallery after the robbery was revealed, sparking panic among visitors.
Empress Eugénie’s crown was allegedly swiped and broken during the robbery. Wouter Engler via WIkipedia
“The police were running near the pyramid and trying to enter the Louvre through the side glass doors, but they were locked and impossible to open,” visitor Kacie told Le Parisien.
There are fears the thieves will melt down the jewelry to resell the gold, making it hard to track, according to insiders.
“The risk is that some of the diamonds could be sold at retail, which would make reconstituting the jewels very difficult,” a source close to the investigation told Le Parisien.
The thieves stole jewels of “inestimable value,” according to officials. Musée du Louvre
The Louvre has a long history of thefts and attempted robberies. Musée du Louvre
“All means are already being implemented to recover the loot,” the Paris police headquarters told Le Monde.
The gallery said it would remain closed on Sunday due to “exceptional reasons.”It comes just weeks after thieves stole several gold nuggets from Paris’ Natural History Museum, worth around $700,000.
Also in September, robbers raided a leading porcelain museum in Limoges, central France, causing damages estimated at more than $7 million.
“Organized crime today is targeting art objects,” Minister Dati said, adding that “museums have become targets.”