Police are searching for four thieves who carried out a highly professional daylight raid on the Louvre, breaking into the museum's Apollon gallery and escaping with eight pieces of "priceless" historic jewellery. The items included a necklace given by Napoleon to his wife, Marie Louise, and a sapphire necklace and earrings worn by Napoleon's stepdaughter.
The theft occurred at 9.30am on Sunday, and interior minister Laurent Nuñez said it took the thieves seven minutes. He described them as "an experienced team who had clearly scouted the location". They approached from outside at a building site, using a truck, a basket lift, and power tools including an angle grinder.
Among the stolen pieces was an emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon to Marie Louise, and jewellery worn by Hortense, Queen of Holland. A crown worn by Empress Eugénie, featuring 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, was found broken near the museum. One piece was recovered outside.
Nuñez said the jewels were of "inestimable heritage value". The museum was evacuated to preserve evidence, and a criminal inquiry has been opened by the Paris prosecutor. Alarms sounded when the display cases were opened, and security guards intervened, but the thieves fled, leaving their equipment behind.
Culture minister Rachida Dati said no injuries were reported and called the incident a "braquage". Politicians reacted with shock, with one saying it seemed like a storyline from a film. Another, Jordan Bardella, said: "The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture." The world-famous Regent diamond was not stolen.
