A brazen heist unfolded at the Louvre museum on Sunday, involving a trio of sophisticated robbers who masqueraded as construction workers. They managed to steal millions in priceless jewelry in under ten minutes, right in front of visitors and staff, according to French authorities.
scooter and chainsaw
The incident took place around 9:30 a.m., just half an hour after the renowned museum opened its doors. The robbers arrived on scooters and utilized a basket lift to access a second-story window. They entered the museum armed with small gas-powered chainsaws, as reported by Le Parisien.
The masked thieves set their own basket lifts up and menaced the security personnel on site, Paris prosecutor Laure Bécuaux revealed during a BFMTV interview.
daytime robbery
Inside the museum, dramatic footage captured one of the robbers—dressed in a typical green reflective construction vest—calmly cutting through a glass display case, all while onlookers watched in disbelief. They employed a Stihl Cutquick concrete saw, valued at around $1,300, to break into the case.
According to officials, surveillance footage displayed the two masked individuals entering the building with composed precision and destroying a display case that housed an “incalculable” number of French crown jewels. French Culture Minister Rashida Dati remarked on the professionalism displayed, noting that the thieves seemed quite “experienced.” This theft occurred just 270 meters from the iconic Mona Lisa, with nine of France’s most valuable jewels missing.
high speed escape
By 9:40 a.m., the robbers had exited through the same window, using a spider lift to reach ground level where their accomplice was waiting. They then sped off on their scooters. In their rush, they inadvertently left key evidence behind, as one of the stolen treasures, an imperial crown adorned with emeralds and over 1,300 diamonds, was found damaged outside the museum.
Minutes later, police arrived and discovered various equipment used during the heist, including a spider lift, concrete saw, and reflective vests. A forensic team began gathering evidence from around a broken window located on the south side of the building.
What now?
Last seen on security cameras, the thieves fled southeast toward the A6 motorway. Bewildered visitors were quickly evacuated, leading to the museum’s closure for the remainder of the day. Authorities have yet to identify the thieves, leaving open the possibility that they might be foreign nationals and suggesting organized crime could be involved.
French President Emmanuel Macron promised that both the stolen jewels and the culprits would be found, viewing the theft as a direct attack on national heritage. He emphasized efforts would be made to ensure justice.
precious harvest
Among the stolen items were a diamond and sapphire tiara linked to France’s last queen, Maria Amalia, as well as additional jewelry, including a sapphire necklace and emerald-set pieces once owned by Napoleon’s wives. Notably, the centerpiece of the collection—a 140-carat diamond known as the Regent—remained untouched.
This isn’t the first time the Louvre has seen criminal activity; a previous incident in 1976 involved armed robbers stealing a sword that belonged to King Charles X, which was never recovered but is believed to have been melted down.
The Louvre remains the world’s most visited museum, attracting around 9 million guests in 2024 alone.
