The Louvre Museum, the world’s most-visited cultural landmark, was abruptly closed on Sunday following a daring daylight heist in the Apollon gallery, home to France’s crown jewels. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing a suspect allegedly cutting through a glass display case with a mini chainsaw.
How the thieves struck
According to French authorities, four balaclava-clad thieves arrived outside the museum along the Seine around 9:30 am, roughly half an hour after visitors began entering. The suspects used a truck with a basket lift and an extendable ladder to reach a second-floor balcony window. They then employed angle grinders and other power tools to smash glass displays and grab the priceless Napoleonic jewels. The robbery lasted less than 10 minutes, interior minister Laurent Nunez said, describing the culprits as “an experienced team who had clearly scouted the location.” As alarms sounded, the thieves fled on motorbikes, leaving behind some items, including Empress Eugenie’s crown and the Regent diamond, valued at more than US$60 million (£45m).
What was stolen
The stolen items include a tiara, earrings, and a sapphire necklace from the jewellery sets of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, as well as pieces from the Marie-Louise set. These historic pieces were housed in the Apollon gallery, a hall built by Louis XIV in 1661, which later inspired the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
Video sparks questions and investigation
Police are now analysing the viral video obtained by BFMTV, which appears to show one of the suspects trying to access a jewellery case. Authorities are probing how the thieves bypassed museum security, and who could be the potential buyers of such priceless, historic items.
