Paris, France: Paris’s famed Louvre Museum was forced to close its doors on Sunday after a dramatic heist saw thieves escape with nine precious jewellery pieces from the Napoleon era. According to local media reports, the robbers entered from the Seine river side, used a goods lift to reach their target, and fled the scene on motorbikes, reportedly armed with chainsaws.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the break-in via social media, assuring the public, “No injuries to report. I am on site alongside the museum teams and the police. Investigations underway.” The culture ministry highlighted the irreplaceable historical significance of the stolen items, stating that a full inventory is being prepared while authorities continue their search.
Footage showed tourists hurriedly evacuating the museum following the incident, though News Agencies has not verified the video’s authenticity.
Robbers Exploited Construction Work to Access Jewels
Per French daily Le Parisien, the gang took advantage of ongoing construction on the Seine-facing side, entering the Louvre and using a goods lift for direct access to the Apollo Gallery, which displays France’s Crown Jewels. The suspects smashed windows and made off with nine pieces belonging to Napoleon and the Empress, utilizing small chainsaws to breach security barriers before their swift motorbike getaway.
Museum’s Legacy and Security Concerns
The Louvre, housing over 33,000 works from ancient civilizations to European masters with highlights like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo typically welcomes up to 30,000 visitors every day. This unprecedented theft has heightened concerns about security at one of the world’s most treasured cultural institutions. Investigations are ongoing as authorities strive to track down the thieves and recover the stolen artifacts.
(with inputs from agencies)
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