Thieves Strike Louvre Museum, Make Off with Priceless Jewelry Collection

Louvre Museum Heist: Thieves Make Off with Priceless Jewelry On Sunday morning, October 19, 2025, a brazen break-in at the world-renowned Louvre Museum in Paris left visitors stunned as thieves made off with an estimated "priceless" collection of jewelry. According to France's Culture Minister Rachida Dati, the incident occurred just as the museum opened its doors. "A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum," Dati wrote on X, confirming that the museum would be closed for the day due to "exceptional reasons." Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the heist as a "major robbery" and revealed that the thieves used small chainsaws to gain access through a window. The burglars, armed with a basket lift, targeted a room in the "Gallerie d'Apollon," where they made off with several valuable items. One of the stolen jewelry pieces was later found near the museum, but the majority remain at large. Background and Context The Louvre Museum is one of the most visited museums globally, attracting millions of visitors each year. Its vast collection includes some of the world's most iconic works of art, including the Mona Lisa. The museum's security measures are considered among the best in the industry, with a team of expert guards and state-of-the-art surveillance systems. Investigation Underway The investigation into the heist has begun, with authorities working to compile a detailed list of the stolen items. "Beyond their market value, these items have inestimable heritage and historical value," Dati emphasized, highlighting the cultural significance of the stolen artifacts. As the investigation unfolds, experts are left pondering how such a brazen heist occurred at one of the world's most secure museums. "This incident raises questions about the effectiveness of museum security measures and the need for enhanced protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert in museum security. Next Developments The Louvre Museum is expected to remain closed until further notice as authorities work to recover the stolen items. The French government has pledged to provide additional support to the museum's security team and has vowed to bring those responsible for the heist to justice. As the world watches this unfolding drama, one thing is clear: the theft of priceless cultural artifacts from the Louvre Museum serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of art crime and the need for enhanced international cooperation in preventing such incidents. *Reporting by Dw.*