Disastrous Louvre Heist: Security Protocols Fail as Priceless Jewels Stolen

Tue Oct 21 2025 21:23:02 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A major jewellery heist at the Louvre Museum raises serious security concerns as thieves make off with invaluable artifacts, prompting calls for immediate action from French authorities.

The Louvre witnessed a stunning daylight robbery on Sunday, resulting in the theft of eight priceless pieces of jewellery. French officials expressed their disappointment in the museum's security protocols, as investigations unveil glaring vulnerabilities. With alarm systems potentially compromised, the rapid retrieval of the stolen items becomes increasingly urgent. French authorities scramble to respond, emphasizing the cultural significance of the stolen artifacts in light of organized crime involvement.

Security protocols failed in preventing a major jewellery heist at the Louvre museum in Paris, leaving the country with a terrible image, France's justice minister has said.

Thieves wielding power tools broke into the world's most-visited museum in broad daylight on Sunday, stealing eight items described as of inestimable value, before escaping on scooters.

Security measures have been tightened around France's cultural institutions, advisers for the country's interior minister said.

There are fears that, unless the thieves are caught quickly, the priceless items, including a diamond and emerald necklace Emperor Napoleon gave to his wife, will be broken down and smuggled out of the country.

The Louvre announced it would remain closed on Monday while investigations continued.

French media reports that a preliminary assessment by the Court of Auditors (due to be published in November) found that a third of the rooms in the wing where the robbery took place have no surveillance cameras.

What is certain is that we have failed, since people were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris, get people up it in several minutes to grab priceless jewels, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin told France Inter radio.

He added that he was certain police would eventually arrest the thieves.

But the head of an organisation specializing in the location and recovery of stolen artworks warned that if the thieves were not caught in the next 24-48 hours, the stolen jewellery will likely be long gone.

The theft took place between 09:30 and 09:40 local time on Sunday morning, shortly after the museum opened to visitors.

Four masked thieves used a truck equipped with a mechanical lift to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony close to the River Seine. They then threatened the guards and smashed the display cases for the jewels, completing the heist in about eight minutes.

Eight items of jewellery were stolen, including an emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon to Empress Marie Louise, and a diadem that once belonged to Empress Eugénie, which is adorned with nearly 2,000 diamonds.

The heist has led to serious questions about security in the Louvre, with promises from the French government to enhance measures.