Louvre heist in 7 minutes: What happened at world’s most famous museum?
A Louvre heist completed in just seven minutes: How four thieves managed to enter the world’s most famous museum in only seven minutes and steal nine historically valuable pieces of jewelry.
Two of the thieves arrived at the scene using a stair-equipped freight elevator, while the other two used scooters. Disguised in employee uniforms, the criminals first secured the area with traffic cones. They then climbed the stairs, broke the glass, and carried out their plan.
During the robbery, they threatened security staff and disabled the alarm system.
Entering the museum’s Galerie d’Apollon (Gallery of Apollo), they acted quickly and decisively, stealing nine pieces of jewelry: a sapphire crown, necklaces, and earrings belonging to Queens Hortense de Beauharnais and Marie Amélie, emerald necklaces and earrings that belonged to Napoleon’s second wife, Marie-Louise, and other jewels. The thieves also took the diadem of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, though it was later found nearby the museum, thrown on the ground and damaged. This crown, 13 cm tall and 15 cm wide, adorned with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, was created in 1855.
After executing their plan, the criminals fled on scooters. It is believed that it was at this time that Empress Eugénie’s diadem fell from their bag.
At the scene police also discovered glass-cutting tools and other equipment, gasoline, gloves, a radio, and a yellow jacket.
The thieves have not yet been apprehended. However, the Louvre will reopen today, although part of the exhibition will remain closed.
French President Emmanuel Macron commented on the incident, calling the Louvre heist “an attack on France’s heritage and history.” In a Facebook post, the French leader stated that all stolen items would be returned to the museum and that the perpetrators would be held accountable.
“This is a failure for France,” admitted the country’s Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin. According to Darmanin, the crime has severely impacted the nation’s reputation and exposed the inefficiency of its security services.
Previous thefts at the famous museum
The last recorded theft from the Louvre occurred in 1998, when a painting by French artist Camille Corot was stolen in broad daylight. It has not been recovered.
Much earlier, in 1911, a museum jewel was stolen: the Mona Lisa was taken by an Italian employee who wanted to return the masterpiece to its homeland. The painting was returned to the museum three years later, in 1914. At that time, the painting was not as famous as it is today.
