Paris, France: The world-renowned Louvre Museum was forced to close on Sunday following a daring daylight robbery that saw thieves make off with eight priceless royal artifacts. The targeted area was the Galerie d’Apollon (Apollo’s Gallery), which houses 19th-century French Crown Jewels. The sophisticated, rapid operation has sent shockwaves through the global museum community and raised serious questions about security at the world's most-visited museum.
The Stolen Royal Treasures
The thieves specifically targeted two display cases, focusing on spectacular jewelry pieces of immense historical value. All the stolen artifacts contain thousands of diamonds and other precious gems and are considered "unsellable" due to their unique, recognizable status.
The eight stolen pieces, once owned by French royalty, include:
Empress Eugenie: A tiara and brooch.
Empress Marie Louise: An emerald necklace and earrings.
Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense: A tiara, necklace, and single earring from a sapphire set.
The “Reliquary Brooch.”
Authorities did manage to recover two items, including Empress Eugenie’s crown, near the museum, which are currently being assessed for damage.
The Ten-Minute Master Plan
The robbery, which occurred between 9:30 and 9:40 am shortly after the museum opened, was executed with military precision by four reported thieves:
Entry: The gang used a vehicle-mounted lift (a cherry picker or basket lift) to reach a first-floor window overlooking the River Seine.
Breach: They used battery-powered disc cutters to slice through glass panes to gain entry.
Theft: Security cameras captured one thief, disguised in construction gear, cutting through a display case while visitors were nearby. The thieves then threatened guards and swiftly took the artifacts from the display cases.
Escape: The culprits fled the scene on scooters, and although they attempted to set fire to their entry vehicle outside the museum, a staff member quickly intervened and stopped them.
Security Failures Under Scrutiny
The brazen nature of the theft has ignited a furious debate over the Louvre's security measures. Labor unions were quick to point out that the museum's vulnerability is a direct result of historical decisions, including the cutting of around 200 full-time security positions over the past 15 years, even as visitor numbers surged.
Officials noted that past warnings, including a 1998 theft and a 2021 internal audit by the current director, had been largely ignored. The fact that thieves were able to use a large vehicle-mounted lift and power tools to breach a window near a busy area in broad daylight underscores the systemic security gaps that the museum must now urgently address.
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