All of Paris was left in shock on Oct. 19 after thieves pulled off a daring seven-minute heist at the Louvre Museum, stealing eight pieces of priceless jewelry in broad daylight.
The robbers struck just after the museum opened at 9:30 a.m. local time, using a furniture lift to reach a balcony of the Galerie d’Apollon overlooking the Seine. Two thieves entered through a window, threatened the guards, and smashed two high-security display cases containing French Crown Jewels. The suspects were inside for only four minutes, fleeing on two scooters by 9:38 a.m.
According to authorities, the stolen items were Napoleonic-era treasures, including diadems, necklaces, earrings, and brooches once worn by Napoleon’s wife, Empress Marie-Louise; his sister-in-law, Queen Hortense of Holland; the wife of France’s last king, Queen Marie-Am?lie; and Empress Eug?nie, wife of Napoleon III. One damaged crown of Empress Eug?nie was recovered near the scene.
Interior Minister Laurent Nu?ez called the pieces “priceless” and “of immeasurable heritage value.” Experts fear the thieves may melt down the pieces or recut the gems to sell them off as investigators pursue multiple leads. The Louvre remains closed to preserve evidence.