Shares fell significantly in the French museum sector following the theft of approximately 2,000 gold and silver coins worth around 90,000 euros from the Maison des Lumiรจres in Langres, north-eastern France. The incident occurred on Sunday night, with the stolen coins being selected with "great expertise," according to a statement to French media from the local authority. The museum, dedicated to French philosopher Denis Diderot, opened on Tuesday, where workers noticed a smashed display case and raised the alarm.
The theft is the latest in a recent string of heists at cultural institutions across France. In a separate incident, the Louvre in Paris was targeted just hours earlier, with thieves making off with some of the French crown jewels. The value of the stolen items from the Louvre is still unknown. The incident at the Maison des Lumiรจres has left authorities scrambling to determine the identity of the perpetrators and the motive behind the theft.
According to officials, the coins were chosen with great care, suggesting that the thieves had a high level of expertise in the field. "The coins were selected with great expertise," said a statement from the local authority. The theft has raised concerns about the security of cultural institutions in France and the potential for future incidents.
The Maison des Lumiรจres is part of the city's private collection, and the stolen coins are a significant part of the museum's collection. The museum's collection includes a wide range of artifacts, including coins, paintings, and sculptures. The theft has left the museum's staff and visitors shaken, with many expressing concerns about the security of the institution.
The incident has also raised questions about the use of artificial intelligence in the prevention and detection of crimes. Some experts suggest that AI-powered security systems could have potentially prevented the theft, while others argue that the technology is not yet advanced enough to be effective. The use of AI in security systems is a topic of ongoing debate, with some experts arguing that it could be a valuable tool in preventing future incidents.
The investigation into the theft is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the identity of the perpetrators and the motive behind the theft. The French government has promised to increase security measures at cultural institutions across the country in response to the incident. The incident has also sparked a wider debate about the security of cultural institutions and the potential for future incidents.
In a related development, the Natural History Museum in Paris was targeted last month, with thieves making off with six gold nuggets worth around 1.5 million euros. A Chinese national was arrested in Barcelona in connection with the raid while trying to sell the stolen items. The incident highlights the growing threat of thefts at cultural institutions across France and the need for increased security measures.