Everything we know about the Louvre jewellery heist

In a brazen daylight robbery, thieves stole eight priceless jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday, October 19, 2025, sparking a manhunt and raising serious questions about security at one of the world’s most famous cultural institutions. The heist unfolded around 9:30 AM local time when four suspects used a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to access the Apollo Gallery via a first-floor window overlooking the River Seine. Armed with power tools, they cut through glass panes, entered the museum, and threatened guards, forcing an evacuation. The entire operation, from entry to escape, lasted just four to seven minutes, with the thieves fleeing on two waiting scooters by 9:38 AM. The stolen items, all from the 19th century and once belonging to French royalty, include a tiara and brooch of Empress Eugénie, an emerald necklace and earrings of Empress Marie Louise, a tiara, necklace, and earring from the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense, and a reliquary brooch. Adorned with thousands of diamonds and precious gemstones, these pieces are of immeasurable heritage value, though Empress Eugénie’s crown was found damaged near the museum, apparently dropped during the escape. Immediate aftermath saw the Louvre closed indefinitely, with visitors refunded and around 60 investigators scouring CCTV footage for clues. The robbery has triggered political outrage in France, with President Emmanuel Macron labeling it “an attack on our history” and opposition leaders calling it a humiliation. Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the thieves as “experienced” and calm, while preliminary reports revealed security lapses, including missing CCTV cameras in one-third of the raided rooms and a possibly disabled local alarm. This incident underscores broader challenges at the Louvre, which has grappled with overcrowding, deteriorating infrastructure, and understaffing. Earlier this year, museum president Laurence des Cars warned the government of urgent renovation needs, citing water leaks and temperature fluctuations that threaten artworks. A June strike highlighted worker discontent, and the heist follows a recent spate of museum thefts in France, including in Limoges and Paris. Historically, the Louvre has faced similar breaches, most notably the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, which was recovered after two years and boosted its global fame. More recently, stolen Renaissance armor was returned in 2021 after nearly four decades. As the manhunt for the four suspects intensifies, investigators suspect organized crime involvement, and experts fear the jewels may be broken apart and sold, complicating recovery. The Louvre remains closed, with no reopening date set; it typically shuts on Tuesdays, so the earliest possible reopening is Wednesday. In response, the French government has pledged enhanced security as part of the New Renaissance project, a multi-million euro renovation plan. This heist serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in safeguarding cultural heritage and the need for sustained investment in museum security globally.