Daring Daylight Heist Shocks the Louvre as Thieves Steal Priceless Crown Jewels

PARIS (AP) — In a bold, four-minute daylight raid that stunned museum officials and visitors alike, a group of thieves scaled the façade of the Louvre on Sunday using a basket lift, broke through a window, smashed display cases, and escaped with a trove of Napoleonic-era jewels.

The audacious heist, which occurred just 30 minutes after the museum opened to the public, is being described as one of the most daring museum robberies in recent memory. The theft unfolded a mere 250 meters (270 yards) from the Mona Lisa — the most famous painting in the world. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati called it a “professional, military-style operation.”

Among the stolen pieces were imperial treasures belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III — including her emerald-and-diamond diadem and a large corsage-bow brooch. Officials later confirmed that her imperial crown, containing more than 1,300 diamonds, was recovered outside the museum, damaged and discarded.

Tourists were quickly ushered out of the museum’s glass pyramid as police sealed nearby streets and began a full-scale investigation. Images from the scene showed stunned visitors gathering by the Seine while officers surrounded the area.

According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, the intruders used a basket lift to access a river-facing window of the Apollon Gallery, where France’s Crown Jewels are displayed — including the famed Regent, Sancy, and Hortensia diamonds. Once inside, they smashed two display cases, grabbed eight royal artifacts, and fled on motorbikes before guards could respond.

No injuries were reported, though the Louvre immediately closed for the day as forensic teams began sweeping the scene.

Officials confirmed that the stolen pieces include:

• A sapphire diadem, necklace, and earring set once worn by Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense;

• An emerald necklace and earrings from Empress Marie-Louise’s collection;

• A reliquary brooch;

• Empress Eugénie’s diamond diadem and corsage bow.

“It’s a major robbery,” said Nunez, acknowledging that while security had been upgraded in recent years, more measures are needed. Plans are now underway to install next-generation surveillance systems and improved perimeter detection.

The theft comes at a tense time for the Louvre, which has struggled with overcrowding and understaffing, prompting staff walkouts earlier this year. Unions say the crush of mass tourism leaves too few guards watching too many rooms — a vulnerability thieves seem to have exploited.

Security remains airtight around marquee masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, protected by bulletproof glass and climate control, but Sunday’s theft revealed uneven protection across the museum’s 33,000 displayed works.

“How can thieves bring a lift to the Louvre and take jewels in broad daylight?” asked Magali Cunel, a visitor from Lyon. “It’s unthinkable that such a world-renowned museum has gaps like this.”

The Louvre’s long history with thefts adds irony to the moment — from the 1911 heist of the Mona Lisa to later incidents that shaped modern museum security.

Now, investigators are combing through CCTV footage, examining the lift, and interviewing staff. French media report that four suspects were involved — two disguised as construction workers on the lift and two waiting on scooters for the getaway.

Meanwhile, the heist has already spilled into politics. Far-right leader Jordan Bardella blamed President Emmanuel Macron, calling the theft “a national humiliation” and a sign of France’s “declining state.”

President Macron has promoted a €700 million modernization plan called “Louvre: A New Renaissance”, promising stronger security and new infrastructure by 2031. For now, however, France’s cultural crown jewel faces one of the most embarrassing breaches in its history.

Experts warn that recovery may be impossible. “These jewels may never be seen again,” said Tobias Kormind, director of 77 Diamonds. “Professional thieves know how to break down and recut gems, erasing their identity — and their past.”