In the early hours of Sunday, 19 October 2025, one of the world’s most iconic museums, the Louvre in Paris, became the scene of a meticulously planned robbery. France’s Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, confirmed the incident, stating that no injuries were reported, reports The WP Times, citing leparisien. Shortly after the announcement, the Louvre released a statement on its official channel saying the museum would remain closed “for exceptional reasons.”
According to initial police findings, the break-in occurred between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m. Several masked individuals arrived on Yamaha TMax scooters from the Seine-side of the building, where construction work is currently taking place. Using a construction ladder and a freight elevator, they gained access to the museum’s first floor. Equipped with chainsaws and cutting tools, the thieves forced open a window leading into the Galerie d’Apollon, a hall that houses some of the Louvre’s most valuable artefacts.
Once inside, the assailants smashed open glass display cases containing jewellery collections titled “Bijoux Napoléon” and “Bijoux des souverains.” Within minutes, they cleared the showcases entirely. Witnesses reported that the entire operation lasted no more than a few minutes before the thieves escaped on their scooters towards the A6 motorway. One of the vehicles was later recovered by police investigators near the city’s outskirts.
What was stolen
French media report that at least nine pieces of jewellery were stolen from the collection of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Joséphine. Among them were a necklace, brooch, and tiara, all dating back to the early 19th century. Experts describe the loss as “immeasurable,” with the historical significance of the objects far outweighing their market value.
The thieves notably left behind the most famous gem of the collection — the 140-carat “Regent Diamond.” The stone is mounted in a ceremonial sword once carried by Napoleon during his 1804 coronation, one of the most valuable symbols of French imperial history.
The investigation
The Paris Prosecutor’s Office has launched an official investigation into organised theft and criminal conspiracy. Forensic teams are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses to establish the exact sequence of events. Investigators believe the heist was planned with military precision and that the culprits were familiar with the museum’s internal structure and current construction layout.
An eyewitness described scenes of panic among early visitors: police officers were seen running towards the Louvre Pyramid, trying unsuccessfully to access the museum through the locked glass doors, while people inside struck the doors, desperate to escape. No injuries were reported, but the emotional shock among tourists and staff was considerable.
Historical context
The Louvre is one of the world’s most visited museums, attracting nearly nine million visitors in 2024. It houses timeless masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and the Venus de Milo. This is the first theft of such scale at the museum in several decades — the last major incident of comparable magnitude occurred in the late 1990s.
Cultural and security implications
The French government has announced a comprehensive review of national museum security, with particular attention to construction zones that could expose vulnerabilities. The Louvre will remain closed until further notice while authorities secure the premises and assess the damage. Experts fear that the heist could encourage similar copycat crimes targeting European art institutions.
The theft has sparked outrage across France and beyond, with cultural figures calling it “a blow to the nation’s heritage.” The stolen jewels were not merely decorative pieces, but tangible relics of France’s imperial past — symbols of power, artistry, and craftsmanship. The case has already drawn comparisons to the 2019 theft at Dresden’s Green Vault, another audacious act that shook the art world.
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