Home / Crime and Justice / Louvre Heist: Thieves Steal Priceless Napoleonic Jewels in Daring Daylight Robbery
Louvre Heist: Thieves Steal Priceless Napoleonic Jewels in Daring Daylight Robbery
19 Oct
Summary
- Thieves stole 9 priceless Napoleonic jewels from the Louvre
- Heist lasted just 7 minutes, suspects remain at large
- Theft is "an attack on French heritage," says Culture Minister
On October 19, 2025, the Louvre Museum in Paris became the scene of a high-stakes robbery, sending shockwaves across France's cultural community. A group of thieves pulled off a daring daylight heist inside one of the world's most famous museums, stealing 9 priceless Napoleonic jewels from the Galerie d'Apollon, the iconic gallery that houses the French Crown Jewels.
The thieves exploited ongoing construction work to access the museum from its Seine-facing facade, breaking a window and using a disc cutter to slice open reinforced display cases. The entire operation lasted just 7 minutes, and the suspects remain at large.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati has described the theft as "an attack on French heritage," stating that the stolen artefacts carry centuries of significance. A national task force, including anti-art trafficking units, has been activated to recover the jewels and bring the perpetrators to justice. The government is also reviewing security protocols at all national museums following the breach.
As the investigation continues, the Louvre remains closed, and law enforcement is racing to track down the highly coordinated team of thieves responsible for this daring heist.
