The Louvre Museum in Paris closed on Sunday after an early-morning robbery in which several jewels of “inestimable value” were stolen, according to French officials. The theft occurred shortly after the museum opened to the public and prompted an immediate evacuation and police investigation. Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed that no injuries were reported.
The Ministry of Culture said the Louvre would “remain closed today for exceptional reasons,” while investigators from the national police and the art crime division examined the scene. The robbery took place between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m., when a small group of suspects accessed the museum through a service lift and broke a window in the façade to enter a restricted area, according to reports from Le Monde.
Jewels of Inestimable Value Stolen
The intruders, believed to be three or four individuals, completed the operation in under seven minutes. They targeted display cases containing historic jewelry, including pieces attributed to Empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III. One of the stolen items, her imperial crown, was later found damaged near the museum’s perimeter, authorities confirmed. The full inventory of missing pieces has not been disclosed, but officials described the stolen jewels as possessing “inestimable heritage value.”
“A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Musée du Louvre. No injuries reported. I am on site alongside the museum and police teams. Investigations are underway,” said Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture. Paris police have not released details about the suspects, and no arrests have been announced as of Sunday evening.
Investigation and Security Concerns
French authorities have launched a large-scale investigation, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses. Forensic teams were seen working at the site throughout the day, while additional patrols were deployed around the museum and neighboring cultural sites. The interior ministry stated that the thieves appeared highly organized, using specialized equipment and exploiting a brief security gap during morning operations.
The Louvre’s closure disrupted thousands of scheduled visits during one of Paris’s busiest tourism weekends. The museum, which receives millions of visitors annually, described the incident as an “exceptional and deeply regrettable event.” Officials said the museum would reopen once forensic examinations and security assessments are completed.
The robbery has renewed attention on museum security in France, where several institutions have reported attempted thefts in recent years. The Ministry of Culture said enhanced security reviews are being conducted at other national museums as a precaution. The Louvre, home to masterpieces including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, remains closed until further notice while the investigation continues.
