The Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, was forced to close after a professional four-minute theft of eight crown jewels, including tiaras, necklaces, earrings and brooches. Art detectives race against time to recover the items before they are dismantled. French police officers stand next to a furniture elevator used by robbers to enter the Louvre museum, on Quai Francois Mitterrand, in Paris on October 19, 2025. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)(AFP) A daring theft at the Louvre museum in Paris saw eight precious objects from the French crown jewels from the French crown jewels were recently stolen in an official operation. said. The world-renowned museum was forced to close on Sunday after the thieves entered the gallery around 09:30 local time. Items stolen As per SKY News, the French Ministry of Culture confirmed the stolen items include: -Tiara from the set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense -Necklace from the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense -Earring from the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense of emerald earrings of emerald of emerald of emerald, emerald earring, emerald earring, of the Empress Marie Louise set -Platter known as the “relic brooch” -Tiara of Empress Eugenie -Large corsage bow brooch of Empress Eugenie A ninth item, said to be the crown of Empress Eugenie containing more than 1,300 diamonds, is out the museum recovered, but according to French authorities broken. Professional, swift operation Authorities reported that the thieves used a basket lift to gain access to the facade facing the Seine, forced a window and smashed display cases in the Apollon gallery – home to the Crown Diamonds, including the Regent, the Sancy and the Hortensia. They fled on motorcycles, with no injuries reported. Security concerns The robbery took place in broad daylight, just 250 meters from the Mona Lisa, highlighting weaknesses in museum security amid concerns about overcrowding and understaffing. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said investigators were reviewing CCTV footage, examining the basket lift and interviewing staff to determine how the thieves gained entry and whether they had inside help. French media reported four perpetrators: two dressed as construction workers using the lift and two others on scooters, but authorities have not confirmed the exact number. Race against time Art detectives have warned that authorities are in a “race against time” to recover the items before they are broken down or melted down. The Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, attracts up to 30,000 visitors daily, and this robbery is considered one of the most audacious museum thefts in living memory.
Louvre museum robbed in broad daylight: Detailed list of eight stolen jewels revealed
