Jewelry Heist at the Louvre: Thieves Strike During Morning Hours, Museum Closed for the Day

On the morning of October 19, 2025, the Louvre Museum in Paris was the target of a swift and audacious jewelry robbery, leading to the museum's closure for the day. The incident occurred between 9:30 and 9:40 AM during the museum's opening hours, with no injuries reported.

According to Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who confirmed the robbery on social media and was at the scene alongside museum and police teams, several perpetrators entered the museum and stole valuable jewelry pieces. The thieves, numbering three or four, arrived on powerful T Max scooters and used a freight elevator to reach the Apollo Gallery on the first floor, which houses the precious collection. Armed with cutting tools, they broke two display cases within seven minutes, seizing nine pieces from the collection linked to Napoleon and the Empress, as reported by sources close to the investigation.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez highlighted the cultural and priceless value of the stolen items, emphasizing the precision and speed of the heist. The criminals fled the scene on their scooters, aided by a platform positioned on a truck, with authorities currently pursuing leads as the suspects remain at large.

The Louvre confirmed its closure for "exceptional reasons," reflecting the gravity of the event. Details about the exact value of the stolen jewelry are still being assessed, while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the theft and to apprehend the culprits.

This high-profile robbery has shocked the cultural world and the public, spotlighting vulnerabilities even in prestigious institutions like the Louvre. Authorities and museum officials remain vigilant in safeguarding France's priceless cultural heritage following this unprecedented breach.