In a shocking crime that feels straight out of a movie, thieves stole eight priceless royal jewels from the Louvre Museum’s Galerie d’Apollon. Now, 48 hours later, the museum remains closed, and many are wondering how such a bold robbery could happen in broad daylight.
At around 9:30 AM on Saturday, just after the Louvre opened, four thieves arrived with a vehicle-mounted lift. They used it to reach a balcony near the first-floor window of the Galerie d’Apollon, a grand hall that once displayed the French crown jewels.
The thieves then smashed two glass display cases using battery-powered cutters and stole some of the most valuable pieces in the collection. By 9:38 AM, they had fled on two scooters waiting outside. The entire robbery took less than 10 minutes.
What was stolen?
The thieves clearly knew what they wanted. They targeted 19th-century jewellery once owned by French royalty. The stolen items include:
- A diamond tiara and brooch from Empress Eugénie
- An emerald necklace and earrings from Empress Marie Louise (Napoleon’s second wife)
- A tiara, necklace, and single earring from the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
- A rare and detailed piece called the “reliquary brooch”
These pieces are extremely valuable, containing thousands of diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. But they are also nearly impossible to sell, because they are so well-known and unique.
What was left behind?
The crown of Empress Eugénie was found damaged near the museum. Police are examining it for fingerprints or other clues.
It’s also been revealed that one-third of the rooms in the gallery had no security cameras. This major security flaw has caused public outrage and questions about how such valuable items were protected.
Ongoing investigation
The French police are now working to recover the stolen jewels and catch the thieves. The Ministry of Culture has called the robbery a “national tragedy.”
So far, authorities haven’t said much. But many experts believe this was a well-planned professional job. Some are even asking whether it could have involved inside help.