A professional heist at the Louvre Museum exposed catastrophic security failures, allowing thieves to escape with an estimated $95.5 million in historically priceless jewels and triggering an urgent international search to prevent their dismantling.
French authorities confirmed that the museum’s security system “completely failed.” Initial reports indicate that approximately one-third of the display rooms lacked functional surveillance cameras, and alarm systems were inactive during the eight-minute operation.
Gérald Darmanin, France’s Minister of Justice, stated that the thieves’ ability to drive a truck close to the iconic Paris landmark presented an “extremely bad image for France.”
Investigators believe the theft was carried out by a highly organized, professional team due to the speed and meticulous planning involved.
Among the items stolen were a diamond and emerald necklace given by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte to his wife, and jewelry once belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie of France.
A crown worn by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, was recovered after thieves reportedly dropped it during their escape. However, the crown sustained damage, and its potential for full restoration remains uncertain. Laure Beccuau, the Paris public prosecutor, detailed these items to RTL radio.
Art theft experts warn that authorities have a critical window of only one to two days to track the stolen gems. Beyond this period, there is a high risk they will be broken apart, melted down, and sold on the black market outside the country for a fraction of their true value.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation, with President Emmanuel Macron describing it as an attack on France’s cultural heritage.
The Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, is a profound cultural symbol for France. The brazen theft has intensified calls for urgent security upgrades across cultural and artistic institutions nationwide.