PARIS— The world-renowned Louvre Museum was shut down today after an audacious robbery saw criminals make off with several pieces of historic jewelry from the Napoleon and Empress Josephine collection, stunning authorities and tourists alike at the heart of the French capital.
France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, confirmed the incident on social media, announcing, “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum.” She stressed that no injuries had been reported and confirmed she was on site with police and museum teams as an urgent investigation was launched.
The museum itself posted a brief note, stating it would remain closed for the day “for exceptional reasons.”
Inside the Heist: A Daring Daylight Raid
While official details remain sparse, police sources provided key information on how the highly organized criminals managed to breach the security of the world’s most-visited museum.
The theft occurred around the time the museum opened its doors to the public. Reports indicate that the perpetrators exploited an ongoing construction site on the Seine River embankment side of the massive complex. The thieves reportedly gained access via this breach, utilizing a freight elevator that led directly to the targeted exhibition hall.
Once inside, two of the men reportedly smashed display cases and seized at least nine pieces of imperial jewelry, including a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara, all part of the priceless collection amassed by Napoleon and Empress Josephine Bonaparte. The suspects then fled the scene on a motorcycle, heading toward a major highway.
Security Breach at a Global Icon
The successful robbery at the home of masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo immediately raises serious questions about the security protocols at the landmark institution. The use of construction work as a point of entry highlights a critical vulnerability that authorities will now have to address.
The loss of the imperial jewels is not just a financial blow, but a devastating cultural one, robbing the French national collection of items linked to one of its most transformative historical periods.
The investigation is now fully underway, with police desperately searching for the thieves who pulled off a heist that will undoubtedly go down as one of the most brazen art crimes in recent European history.