Louvre Museum Closes After Jewelry Heist

On Sunday morning, the Louvre Museum in Paris was closed after a robbery in which thieves stole jewelry of significant historical value. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time, when several individuals, disguised as construction workers, used a basket lift to force open a window and gain entry to the museum's Apollo Gallery, which houses the French Crown Jewels.

The perpetrators, armed with small chainsaws, smashed display cases and took at least nine pieces of jewelry that once belonged to Emperor Napoleon and Empress Eugénie. The stolen items include a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara. One of the stolen jewels, believed to be Empress Eugénie's crown, was later found outside the museum, though it had been damaged.

The thieves fled the scene on motorcycles, heading toward the A6 motorway. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the value of the stolen items as "inestimable" and noted that the heist took approximately seven minutes.

In response to the robbery, the Louvre announced its closure for the day, citing "exceptional reasons." Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the incident, stating, "A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum. No injuries to report. I am on site alongside the museum teams and the police. Investigations underway."

Authorities have launched an investigation, with forensic work underway and a detailed inventory of the stolen items being compiled. The Louvre, renowned for housing masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, is the world's most visited museum, attracting millions of visitors annually.