In what has been dubbed the “Heist of the Century,” thieves stole eight priceless royal jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris, shocking France and the international art world.
The robbery took place in the Apollo Gallery, where the criminals managed to seize historic pieces, including:
- The Grand Diamond Brooch with Ribbon of Empress Eugénie,
- The Pearl Tiara of Empress Eugénie,
- Emerald Earrings from Marie-Louise’s jewelry set,
- The Diadem of Queens Marie-Amalia and Hortense,
- The Sapphire Necklace and Earrings from Queen Marie-Amalia’s collection,
- And an Emerald Necklace from Marie-Louise’s personal set.
Justice Minister: “We Failed”
France’s Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, described the incident as “a miserable failure” that has damaged France’s international image.
“There are many museums in Paris and across France holding invaluable treasures. The fact that these exhibition spaces were not fully secured raises serious questions,” Darmanin said.
“As someone who once served as Interior Minister, I know we cannot protect every site completely. But the fact remains — we failed. Someone managed to place a large crane on the open streets of Paris, allowing thieves to reach and steal priceless jewels in just a few minutes, giving France a dreadful image,” he added.
Security Concerns and Closure of the Louvre
Following the spectacular theft, the Louvre Museum — the most visited in France — will remain closed until further notice.
The incident has highlighted serious gaps in museum security, which officials had long warned about due to underinvestment in protective infrastructure.
The Louvre, home to the world-famous Mona Lisa, hosted 8.7 million visitors in 2024, making it a global cultural symbol now shaken by one of the boldest art heists in history.
