Plain English Louvre robbery: How it happened
Nov 3, 2025
In a daring Sunday heist, four thieves disguised as construction workers infiltrated the Louvre, using tools to smash display cases and escape with priceless crown jewels in just seven minutes. The stolen items included emeralds, sapphires, and pearls, leading experts to speculate on their fate—either finding a private buyer or being dismantled for individual sales. This brazen theft sparked discussions about national identity and security concerns, revealing the museum's symbolic role in France's heritage and its vulnerability to crime.
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Bold Morning Heist At The Louvre
- Four thieves disguised as construction workers used a ladder truck and power tools to enter the Louvre while it was open and crowded.
- The whole theft, from entry to escape, took about seven minutes and involved smashing display cases in the Apollo Gallery.
Quick Entry, Multiple Alarms, Swift Escape
- The thieves entered via a second-floor balcony using a mechanized ladder and power tools, triggering multiple alarms as they smashed display cases.
- They escaped on motor scooters after abandoning a damaged diamond-encrusted crown, which was later recovered.
Stolen Pieces Tied To French History
- Thieves stole eight pieces tied to French monarchy and empire, including Napoleon's emerald-and-diamond necklace and Empress Eugenie's tiara.
- The items had huge historic and material value, some with thousands of diamonds and hundreds of pearls.