Paris was thrown into chaos on Sunday morning after a group of masked, chainsaw-wielding thieves pulled off a daring robbery at the Louvre, one of the world’s most visited museums.
Priceless jewellery, including pieces that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine, were snatched in broad daylight, forcing staff to close the museum and evacuate panicked tourists.
The incident occurred just after 9 a.m., and eyewitnesses described a scene straight out of a movie, as the criminals made their escape on scooters, leaving the iconic institution temporarily shuttered.
Thieves Use Freight Elevator to Access Apollo Gallery
Investigators revealed that the gang of three “highly organised” criminals brought a huge freight elevator against the Louvre’s walls to reach the Apollo Gallery, a historic space opened by King Louis XIV in the 17th century.
The thieves then cut through a window using a hand-held disc cutter, gaining access to the museum’s treasures in a matter of minutes.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the entire operation—from arrival to getaway—took just seven minutes.
Among the stolen items was the Eugénie Crown, a spectacular piece studded with thousands of diamonds and emeralds, which was later found broken below a window of the museum.
Tourists Evacuated Amid Panic
Inside the Louvre, thousands of visitors were caught off guard and forced to evacuate quickly.
Police escorted the tourists out into the bustling streets of Paris while securing the scene.
Sources confirmed that two men specifically targeted nine pieces from Napoleon and Josephine’s historic jewellery collection, including a necklace and a brooch.
The collection, built during Napoleon and Josephine’s reign, included items stolen from royalty during the French Revolution as well as treasures acquired from across the expanding French Empire.
Stolen Art Likely Hidden, Not Sold
Police noted that while these priceless pieces can never legally be sold on the black market, they are often kept hidden for private enjoyment by whoever commissioned the theft.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed she was on-site with museum staff and law enforcement, emphasizing that no injuries were reported and that a criminal investigation is underway.
A Louvre spokesperson described the closure as “for exceptional reasons,” highlighting the extraordinary nature of the crime.
Paris’ Long History of Art Heists
While the Louvre is known for its iconic works like the Mona Lisa, it has also been the target of high-profile thefts over the years.
The most infamous occurred in 1911, when Vincenzo Peruggia, a museum employee, stole the Mona Lisa after hiding inside overnight.
The painting was recovered two years later in Florence.
Paris has also seen more recent art thefts, including a 2024 heist at the Musée Cognacq-Jay, where axe-wielding thieves stole valuable snuffboxes, and a 2017 robbery from the Paris Museum of Modern Art involving masterpieces worth nearly £100 million.
Authorities Vow Stronger Security
Despite frequent pledges to boost security across the city’s galleries, such brazen daytime raids continue to pose a challenge.
In this latest heist, the use of a freight elevator and chainsaws underscores the sophistication and planning behind modern art crimes, leaving authorities scrambling to track down the stolen treasures and bring the perpetrators to justice.