In a stunning heist that has shocked the international art community, the Louvre Museum in Paris was forced to close its doors this morning after masked thieves made off with a trove of historic jewellery.
According to France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati, the robbery occurred in the early hours of October 19, with no injuries reported. Authorities were quick to launch an investigation into what officials are calling a “targeted and professional operation.”
🚨 The Robbery: 7 Minutes of Precision
Eyewitnesses described a fast, calculated raid carried out by thieves on scooters who accessed the museum through a freight lift connected to a façade currently under renovation along the Seine. Once inside, the assailants reportedly used chainsaws to break into the display case housing nine pieces of jewellery once belonging to Napoleon and Empress Joséphine.
The entire incident lasted no more than seven minutes, with the culprits disappearing before security forces could intervene. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has described the stolen artefacts as “priceless.”
🏛️ Museum Closed, Investigation Underway
The Louvre promptly shut down for what it termed “exceptional reasons.” Visitors arriving at the site were turned away as security cordons went up. The museum has confirmed it will remain closed until thorough inspections and security assessments are completed.
Authorities are now combing through surveillance footage, examining building floor plans, and reviewing museum logistics to piece together how the thieves bypassed security so swiftly and effectively.
🕰️ A Theft Echoing History
This isn’t the Louvre’s first brush with theft. The most infamous case remains the 1911 disappearance of the Mona Lisa, which was recovered two years later in Florence. However, the loss of the Napoleonic jewels is being viewed as a particularly painful blow, given their cultural and historical significance.
🔍 What’s Next?
So far, no suspects have been publicly identified, and the value of the stolen items remains undisclosed. Experts suggest that due to the unique nature of the jewellery, reselling it would be extremely difficult without detection.
The museum’s spokesperson reassured the public that they are “working closely with law enforcement” and that operations will resume as soon as it’s deemed safe to do so.
