The renowned Louvre Museum in Paris has officially reopened its doors just three days following a shocking daylight robbery that resulted in the theft of jewellery valued at an astonishing 88 million euros (£76m; $102m). Visitors were welcomed back to the iconic museum starting at 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT) on Wednesday; however, the Apollo Gallery, the site of the audacious heist, remains closed to the public.
On Sunday morning, thieves armed with power tools executed the robbery in less than eight minutes, swiftly breaching the world's most-visited museum and escaping on scooters. As of now, law enforcement has not apprehended the culprits. In response to this brazen act, President Emmanuel Macron has urged government officials to expedite the implementation of enhanced security measures at the Louvre, according to a government spokesperson.
The museum's director, Laurence des Cars, is scheduled to appear before the French Senate's culture committee on Wednesday afternoon. Although she has yet to comment publicly on the robbery, President Macron has characterized the incident as a significant attack on France's cultural heritage. A preliminary investigation revealed concerning security lapses; notably, one in three rooms at the Louvre lacked CCTV coverage, and the museum’s alarm system failed to activate during the incident. In light of these findings, security protocols at cultural institutions across France are being reevaluated and strengthened.
Senator Nathalie Goulet previously informed the BBC that the gallery's alarm system had been malfunctioning, raising questions about whether it had been deactivated. In their defense, the culture ministry stated that while the main alarm did sound, museum staff adhered to established protocols by alerting security forces and ensuring visitor safety. Following the theft, the museum temporarily closed its doors, offering refunds to visitors who had made prior bookings.
One of those affected was Benjamin Carbajal from Peru, who expressed disappointment over the cancellation of his ticket but acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and the museum's responsibility to ensure safety. Meanwhile, a dedicated team of investigators is tirelessly working to track down the criminals responsible for this high-profile theft.
Four masked assailants utilized a truck equipped with mechanical ladders to access the Gallery of Apollo through a balcony adjacent to the River Seine at approximately 09:30. Two of the thieves broke through a glass window on the first floor using a battery-powered disc cutter, gaining entry into the museum. Upon entering, they threatened the security guards on duty, who promptly evacuated the premises. The thieves then proceeded to shatter the glass of two display cases housing valuable jewels.
The stolen loot includes a stunning diamond and emerald necklace originally gifted by Emperor Napoleon to his wife, as well as a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, the spouse of Napoleon III. Additional pieces taken belonged to Queen Marie-Amelie. Investigators have also discovered a damaged crown, once owned by Empress Eugenie, along the thieves' escape route, believed to have been discarded during their flight.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez expressed his confidence in the ongoing investigation during a recent interview with France's Europe1, asserting that he believes the thieves will ultimately be caught. Prosecutors indicate that the robbery may have been orchestrated by a larger criminal organization, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.
