Louvre Museum Closes After Theft of Napoleon-Era Jewels

On Sunday morning, thieves executed a swift heist at Paris's Louvre Museum, stealing nine pieces from the Napoleon and Empress Josephine collection. The stolen items include a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara.

The perpetrators accessed the museum via a construction area along the Seine River, using a freight elevator to reach the Apollo Gallery. They broke windows to enter, smashed display cases, and fled on motorcycles.

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the robbery, stating, "A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum." She added that no injuries were reported and that investigations are underway.

The Louvre announced its closure for the day due to "exceptional reasons" and will reopen once police complete their investigation.

The Apollo Gallery, housing the stolen jewels, is renowned for its collection of French Crown Jewels and other royal artifacts. The museum has not yet released an estimated value for the stolen items.

This incident marks one of the most significant thefts at the Louvre in recent history. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to recover the stolen artifacts and enhance security measures.