21-10-2025

Louvre Museum Robbed of Priceless Jewels in Brazen Heist

Date: 21-10-2025
Sources: bbc.com: 1 | cbsnews.com: 2 | edition.cnn.com: 2 | foxnews.com: 4 | news.sky.com: 2 | washingtonpost.com: 1
Image for cluster 4
Image Source:

Source: news.sky.com

Image content: The image is a satellite view of Paris, with the Louvre museum highlighted. The main subject and content of the image are the city of Paris and the Louvre museum, with a notable annotation indicating a "Ladder used by thieves" near the museum, suggesting that the image is related to a theft or burglary that occurred at the Louvre.

Summary

Thieves stole priceless French crown jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris in a daring daylight heist, using power tools and a crane to break into the Galerie d'Apollon. The stolen items, including tiaras, necklaces, and earrings, have 'inestimable' historical value and are believed to be linked to organized crime.

Key Points

  • Thieves used a crane and power tools to break into the Louvre Museum's Galerie d'Apollon
  • Eight priceless pieces from the French Crown Jewels collection were stolen
  • The heist is believed to be linked to organized crime and may have been carried out by professionals
  • The stolen items have 'inestimable' historical value and may be melted down or sold individually
  • Security measures at the Louvre and other cultural institutions have been tightened following the heist

Articles in this Cluster

Louvre heist: 'We have failed' says minister as security tightened

The Louvre museum in Paris was robbed of eight priceless jewels, including a diamond and emerald necklace given by Napoleon to his wife, in a brazen daylight heist. The thieves used power tools and a furniture hoist to break into the Galerie d'Apollon, escaping with the jewels on scooters. France's justice minister, Gérald Darmanin, admitted that security protocols had 'failed' and that the country had been left with a 'terrible image'. Security measures have been tightened around France's cultural institutions, and the police are racing against time to catch the thieves before they can sell or destroy the stolen items.
Entities: Louvre museum, Paris, France, Gérald Darmanin, NapoleonTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Louvre robbery leaves Paris' iconic museum shuttered for a second day - CBS News

The Louvre Museum in Paris remained closed for a second day after thieves stole priceless crown jewels in a brazen daytime heist on Sunday. The thieves used a crane to break into the museum through an upstairs window and escaped on motorbikes with jewelry of 'inestimable value.' The robbery occurred in the Galerie d'Apollon, a vaulted hall displaying some of the French crown jewels. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the robbery as the work of 'professionals,' and it has shocked many French people due to the ease with which the thieves were able to steal from such a highly secured institution. The museum's management announced that all visitors with tickets for the day would be reimbursed.
Entities: Louvre Museum, Paris, France, Agence France-Presse, Galerie d'ApollonTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

See the jewels the Louvre thieves stole — and the one they didn't get away with - CBS News

The Louvre Museum in Paris was robbed on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in a daring daytime heist. Thieves made off with eight priceless pieces from the Apollon Gallery, including jewels belonging to French royalty such as Empress Eugénie and Queen Marie-Amélie. The stolen items include a pearl and diamond tiara, a grand corsage bow brooch, a sapphire tiara, necklace, and earrings, an emerald necklace and earrings, and a diamond-encrusted brooch. The thieves used a crane-type lift to enter the museum through an upper window, smashed the display cases, and escaped on motorcycles or scooters. One of the stolen items, the crown of Empress Eugénie, was found outside the museum. The robbery is believed to have been carried out by professionals who got in and out in minutes. The museum remained closed on Monday, and French authorities are investigating.
Entities: Louvre Museum, Paris, France, Apollon Gallery, French crown jewelsTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Museum heists have changed. Why the Louvre robbery is a worrying escalation | CNNClose icon

The Louvre Museum in Paris was robbed on October 19, 2025, with thieves making off with nine pieces of Napoleonic jewels worth millions. The heist is considered a worrying escalation in museum robberies, with experts noting a shift towards targeting cultural institutions for artifacts that can be dismantled and sold for their raw materials. The thieves used an angle grinder to force open a window and escaped via a ladder, leaving behind a crown and other evidence. The robbery is believed to be linked to organized crime, and investigators are working to determine the connection between this and other recent museum thefts in France.
Entities: Louvre Museum, Paris, France, Apollo Gallery, Napoleonic jewelsTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Timeline: How thieves robbed the Louvre of ‘priceless’ jewels | CNNClose icon

The Louvre Museum in Paris was robbed of Napoleonic-era artefacts, known as France's crown jewels, in a daring daylight heist. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the robbery as 'an attack on a heritage we cherish' and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Investigators are racing against time to track down four suspects and recover the stolen treasures amid fears they may be lost forever. The article provides a timeline of the audacious burglary that stunned the world.
Entities: Louvre Museum, Paris, Emmanuel Macron, France, CNNTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Brazen daylight robbery at Louvre purportedly captured on video | Fox News

A brazen daylight robbery occurred at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, where thieves stole several valuable items, including jewels from Napoleon III's court and Empress Eugenie's personal collection. A new video has emerged showing the heist, which appears to be one of the most brazen art thefts in recent memory. The thieves used a basket lift to gain entry to the Apollo Gallery, where they broke open a display case and stole priceless treasures. The investigation is ongoing, and the Louvre remains closed as authorities review surveillance footage.
Entities: Louvre Museum, Paris, France, Apollo Gallery, Napoleon IIITone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Louvre crown jewel thieves may melt down stolen loot, ex-FBI expert warns | Fox News

A brazen daytime heist occurred at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, where thieves stole several priceless French crown jewels, including a crown believed to have belonged to Empress Eugénie. The thieves, disguised as construction workers, used a lift to access a first-floor window and smashed it open with an angle grinder. Ex-FBI art crime expert Tim Carpenter suggests that the thieves may melt down the stolen loot or sell the stones individually. The investigation is ongoing, and the Louvre Museum has closed its doors following the theft.
Entities: Louvre Museum, Paris, France, Tim Carpenter, Empress EugénieTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Louvre thieves may have been hired by private collector, officials say | Fox News

Thieves carried out a daring heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing priceless jewelry in just seven minutes. The robbers, disguised as construction workers, used an angle grinder to break open a window and a disc cutter to slice through glass panes protecting the jewels. Authorities believe the thieves may have been hired by a private collector or were motivated by the value of the jewels and precious metals. The investigation is ongoing, with all leads being considered.
Entities: Louvre Museum, Paris, Laure Beccuau, BFM TV, ReutersTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Slideshow: Louvre treasures stolen in robbery | Fox News

Thieves stole priceless jewelry from the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, on October 19, 2025. The stolen items included jewelry belonging to French Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. The heist occurred in broad daylight, and the museum was subsequently shut down. The stolen jewelry is described as 'invaluable' and includes items such as tiaras, brooches, and necklaces that belonged to various French monarchs and nobles. The article includes images of the stolen items and other jewelry on display at the Louvre.
Entities: Louvre Museum, Paris, France, French Empress Eugenie, Napoleon IIITone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Louvre robbery: 'Matter of time' before thieves struck, expert says - and UK museums could be next | World News | Sky News

A prominent art theft expert, Christopher Marinello, has warned that the recent Louvre robbery was inevitable and that UK museums could be the next target. Marinello attributes the rise in art theft to emboldened gangs and inadequate law enforcement. He emphasizes that institutions need to improve security measures to protect cultural heritage from being stolen and sold for profit. The expert also highlights the vulnerability of museums due to funding cutbacks and the increasing value of gold and precious items.
Entities: Christopher Marinello, Louvre, UK, Paris, St Fagans National Museum of HistoryTone: urgentSentiment: negativeIntent: warn

What will happen to stolen Louvre jewellery? All we know about 'theft of the decade' | World News | Sky News

Thieves broke into the Louvre museum in Paris during broad daylight, stealing eight priceless objects from the French Crown Jewels collection. The heist, described as 'the theft of the decade', occurred at around 9:30 am, with the thieves using a crane mounted on a truck to smash an upstairs window and enter the Galerie d'Apollon. The stolen items have 'inestimable' historical value, and authorities are racing against time to recover them before they are dismantled or melted down. Experts warn that the jewels may never be seen again if not recovered quickly. The investigation is ongoing, with questions being raised about the security measures in place at the Louvre and the possibility of inside assistance.
Entities: Louvre, Paris, French Crown Jewels, Galerie d'Apollon, Petite GalerieTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

How the Louvre heist unfolded - The Washington Post

Thieves carried out a brazen heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday, stealing precious jewels once belonging to French royalty. The heist took seven minutes, with the thieves using an electrically powered ladder and power tools to access the Apollo Gallery. They broke into two high-security display cases using a grinder, making off with items including tiaras, necklaces, and earrings. The Louvre remained closed on Monday as the search for the thieves continues.
Entities: Louvre Museum, Paris, Apollo Gallery, Quai François-Mitterrand, SeineTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform