A daring heist took place at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday, where thieves made off with valuable jewelry of immense historical significance. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin described the stolen items as having "incalculable" value.
The robbery unfolded in just seven minutes. Thieves used a motorized lift to access a construction area of the museum, allowing them to enter through a window with a glass cutter. Once inside, they confronted security guards, who fled the scene, and quickly broke into display cases to grab the jewels. The bandits escaped on scooters, and thankfully, no one was injured during the incident.
The stolen jewelry came from the Apollo Gallery, which is home to the crown jewels of former French royalty. Among the items taken were tiaras, earrings, and other exquisite pieces, all adorned with thousands of diamonds and precious stones. Notably, they stole a tiara that belonged to Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III. This tiara features 212 pearls, nearly 2,000 diamonds, and 992 rose-cut diamonds.
Additionally, a sapphire set, consisting of a tiara, necklace, and earrings, was taken. This set, associated with royals like Queen Hortense and Queen Marie-Amélie, includes 24 Ceylon sapphires and over 1,000 diamonds. The thieves also snatched an emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon to his second wife, Marie Louise, as a wedding present in 1810, which includes 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds.
In response to the theft, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to recover the stolen jewelry and bring the criminals to justice. He also announced plans for a new security project aimed at enhancing the safety of the Louvre. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about security at one of the world’s most famous museums, especially during periods of construction.
