A daring robbery took place at Paris’ world-renowned Louvre Museum on Sunday, targeting the museum’s Napoleonic-era jewelry collection. Despite the site’s stringent security measures, thieves managed to steal nine highly valuable pieces of jewelry belonging to Napoleon and Empress Eugénie. The robbers reportedly used a basket lift to access a construction area and entered the museum, completing the heist in just seven minutes. French media reports indicate that disc cutters and other tools were used to break into the gallery before the gang fled on motorcycles.
🚨BREAKING🚨:7-MINUTE LOUVRE HEIST STUNS FRANCE 🇫🇷💎
Thieves stole nine jewels from Napoleon and the Empress’s collection after entering the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery via a lift truck. One broken crown was later found nearby. The 140-carat Regent Diamond was left untouched. pic.twitter.com/QlELlfkqw4
— The_Independent (@TheIndeWire) October 19, 2025
The incident occurred while the museum was open to the public, but fortunately, no visitors or staff were injured, according to French Culture Minister Rachida Dati. Officials emphasized the historical and heritage value of the stolen jewelry, noting the irreplaceable cultural loss posed by the heist.
Following the robbery, the Louvre was immediately closed, and police launched an investigation into the theft. Interestingly, one of the stolen items, Empress Eugénie’s tiara, was later recovered outside the museum, though it had sustained damage. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the remaining pieces.
The audacious crime has raised serious concerns about the security measures at one of the world’s most visited museums. Despite heavy visitor traffic and advanced surveillance systems, the robbery exposed vulnerabilities in the museum’s protection protocols, prompting urgent reviews by officials to prevent similar incidents in the future.