The Louvre Museum in Paris has closed its doors following a brazen theft that resulted in the loss of priceless jewels. This incident, described by officials as a meticulous seven-minute heist, occurred in broad daylight shortly after the museum opened on Sunday morning. Two masked thieves utilized a lift mounted on a truck to access the museum's Galerie d'Apollon, which houses the French crown jewels and other invaluable treasures, breaking in through a second-floor window.
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, law enforcement is currently on the lookout for four male suspects involved in this audacious crime. The thieves shattered display cases and made off with eight items that a Louvre spokesperson characterized as having inestimable cultural and historical significance. After executing the heist, they fled the scene on high-powered scooters, heading toward a nearby highway. Fortunately, two pieces of jewelry, including the crown of Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III, were discovered near the museum shortly after the crime.
This theft represents a significant blow to one of the world’s most visited museums, known for housing masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. The Louvre has drawn approximately 9 million visitors in recent years, showcasing around 35,000 works of art. However, this is not the first time the Louvre has faced theft; it has been targeted by thieves multiple times over the decades, including an infamous incident where the Mona Lisa was stolen right off the wall.
The Louvre was originally constructed in the 12th century as a military fortress and transitioned into a royal residence by the 14th century. In 1793, during the revolutionary period, the Louvre was opened to the public as the Musée Central des Arts, showcasing art that was previously part of the royal collection. This move embodied the Enlightenment ideals that fueled the French Revolution.
Despite its fortified history, the Louvre has suffered from several high-profile security breaches, including the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa by Vincenzo Peruggia. Peruggia, an Italian handyman, disguised himself in a museum uniform and simply walked out with the painting after taking it off the wall. The painting's disappearance went unnoticed for an astonishing 28 hours, turning it into international news when discovered.
The Louvre's history is marked by numerous thefts. During World War II, the museum was safeguarded from Nazi looting thanks to Jacques Jaujard, the director of France's national museums, who organized the evacuation of artworks, including the Mona Lisa. However, many works were stolen from Jewish families during this time and have yet to be fully reclaimed.
The postwar era saw a surge of daytime art thefts. Notably, in May 1966, thieves stole antique gold and ruby jewelry from JFK Airport while it was returning to the Louvre. In December 1976, three masked men broke into the Louvre and made off with the diamond-studded sword of King Charles X, which has never been recovered. This incident bears striking similarities to the recent heist, with both events occurring in the same gallery.
Despite attempts to bolster security, the Louvre has continued to experience thefts and breaches. Following the 1990 thefts, then-director Michel Laclotte identified a crisis and committed to enhancing security measures. However, ongoing issues such as overcrowding, disrepair, and climate change have compounded security challenges.
This January, Louvre president-director Laurence des Cars sent a letter outlining concerns about deteriorating conditions within the museum, which was leaked to the press. French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for extensive renovations, estimated to cost around $834 million and take nearly a decade to complete. These upgrades aim to enhance security, relieve congestion, and ensure the preservation of artworks.
In light of the recent theft, Louvre staff, including gallery attendants and security personnel, have expressed urgent calls for improved security measures. The museum was temporarily shut down following spontaneous staff protests over unmanageable crowds and working conditions. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged the failure to secure the museum properly, emphasizing the urgent need for reform.
As cultural institutions across France tighten their security in response to this heist, the Louvre stands as a reminder of the delicate balance between accessibility and security for one of the world’s most cherished repositories of art and history.
