Paris’ Louvre Forced to Shut After Thieves Steal Napoleon’s Jewellery in 7-Minute Raid
Daring heist forces world’s most visited museum to close.
Paris’ iconic Louvre Museum was forced to shut its doors today after a meticulously planned robbery saw thieves make off with priceless Napoleon-era jewellery. The audacious heist, which unfolded in the early hours, targeted the Apollo Gallery, home to a dazzling display of French Crown Jewels. France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, described the incident as a “major robbery,” revealing that the culprits used a hydraulic ladder to access the museum’s under-construction Seine-facing facade.
According to French daily Le Parisien, the robbers employed a disc cutter to slice through windowpanes, gaining entry to the Apollo Gallery in a swift operation that lasted just seven minutes. Their haul included nine exquisite pieces from the jewellery collection of Napoleon and the Empress, items of immense historical and cultural value. The precision of the heist suggests the thieves conducted thorough reconnaissance beforehand, exploiting vulnerabilities in the museum’s security during ongoing renovations.
France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, confirmed the robbery this morning, assuring the public that no injuries were reported. She was on-site with museum staff and police as authorities began assessing the extent of the loss. The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched a full investigation, with forensic teams combing the scene for evidence. Visuals from the Louvre showed barricades blocking entry, a restless crowd of visitors waiting in vain for the museum to open, and traffic restrictions snarling the surrounding area.
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The Louvre, which welcomes up to 30,000 visitors daily, is renowned for housing over 33,000 artefacts, including world-famous treasures like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace. This is not the first time the museum has been targeted by thieves. In 1911, the Mona Lisa itself was stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia, a former worker who simply walked out with the masterpiece hidden under his coat. It was recovered two years later in Florence. More recently, in 1983, two Renaissance-era pieces of armour were stolen, only to be recovered in 2021.
The museum has yet to issue an official statement, citing only “exceptional reasons” for the closure. As the investigation unfolds, questions are mounting about the security of one of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions. How could such a high-profile target be breached so efficiently? What measures will be taken to prevent future thefts? For now, the Louvre remains closed, its treasures under scrutiny, and the world watches as Paris grapples with the fallout of this brazen crime.
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