The Louvre Museum in Paris, home to the Mona Lisa, is closed, as investigations are underway into the theft of “priceless” jewellery.
The robbery took place on Sunday morning, with nine items from the 19th century stolen.
The thieves, who were wearing balaclavas, reportedly used a crane to get access through a window to the Gallery of Apollo, from the River Seine side.
They are believed to have spent no more than seven minutes inside, stealing nine items before fleeing on motorbikes.
One of the items was recovered near the museum after the incident.
Initial investigations by French authorities suggest that the incident took place shortly after the museum opened, with about four thieves involved.
Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau told the media they were “unarmed but used angle grinders to threaten guards”.
Among the stolen items are the tiara and necklace from the sapphire jewellery set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense, an emerald necklace and earrings from the Marie-Louise set, and two brooches and a tiara belonging to Empress Eugénie. The crown of Empress Eugénie was recovered outside the museum, having been dropped during the escape.
A vehicle-mounted ladder was later found near the River Seine, believed to have been used to access the window. French authorities confirmed the thieves attempted to set the vehicle alight but were stopped by a staff member.
France’s Culture Ministry called the theft “a devastating blow,” while Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said the heist “gives a very negative image of France” and reflects concerns over museum security.
“The theft committed at the Louvre is an attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our History. We will recover the works, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Everything is being done, everywhere, to achieve this, under the leadership of the Paris prosecutor’s office. The Louvre New Renaissance project, which we launched in January, provides for strengthened security. It will be the guarantor of the preservation and protection of what constitutes our memory and our culture,” said France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, on X.
Le vol commis au Louvre est une atteinte à un patrimoine que nous chérissons car il est notre Histoire.
Nous retrouverons les œuvres et les auteurs seront traduits en justice. Tout est mis en œuvre, partout, pour y arriver, sous la conduite du parquet de Paris.…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 19, 2025
No injuries were reported, but tourists were turned away as police sealed off the world’s most visited museum.
