What to know about the heist at Paris' Louvre museum
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French police officers stand next to a furniture elevator used by robbers to enter the Louvre Museum in Paris on October 19. Photo: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images
Paris' famous Louvre museum closed on Sunday after thieves stole priceless jewels in a daylight robbery.
The big picture: The bandits made off with loot from the 19th century that France's interior minister described as "priceless."
Driving the news: Visitors were directed to evacuate the building. There were no injuries, but property of unknown value was stolen from a gallery that holds the French crown jewels.
- The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed in a statement provided to Axios that an investigation has been opened and that the damage is currently being assessed.
Here's what we know about the break-in and robbery:
When and how did the Louvre heist occur?
The break-in occurred around 9:30am local time, according to a statement from the Louvre.
- A group of "several" thieves used a lift on a truck to enter through a window into the Galerie d'Apollon, which holds a royal collection of hardstone vessels and the French crown jewels, the museum confirmed.
- They took jewelry from display cases before fleeing on motorcycles.
Zoom out: Laurent Nuñez, France's interior minister, told France Inter radio the robbery appeared to have been conducted by an experienced team of criminals.
The latest: The Paris prosecutor's office said in an update that at this stage in the investigation, it appears four people were involved, two of whom broke into the gallery room through a window.
- They allegedly covered their faces and carried angle grinders, the office said, and threatened museum guards.
- The thieves targeted two display cases. Two pieces of jewelry, including a crown belonging to Empress Eugénie, were recovered, seemingly abandoned as the perpetrators escaped.
What was stolen from the Louvre?
Eight objects were stolen from the museum's Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo), according to a Culture Ministry statement posted to X by the Louvre.
- Among the artifacts missing are a diadem and brooch, which were the possessions of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, and an emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings that belonged to Empress Marie Louise, the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I).
- "Beyond their market value, these items have inestimable heritage and historical value," the museum said in a statement to Axios.
The intrigue: In addition to the crown jewels, the room hosts a collection of vessels carved from precious minerals, like jade and amethyst.
- This is not the first high-profile theft at the Louvre. In 1911, Leonardo da Vinci's world-famous Mona Lisa was snagged by a man who hid inside the museum.
- The painting was missing for two years and returned to the Louvre in January 1914 after the thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, attempted to sell the portrait in December 1913.
Go deeper: Mona Lisa attacked in apparent climate-related protest
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from the Paris prosecutor's office and a statement from the French Culture Ministry.
