Louvre Museum in Paris Closes Following Heist: What You Need to Know
The iconic Louvre Museum in Paris, renowned as the world’s most visited art museum, has temporarily closed its doors due to a robbery, as confirmed by France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati. Drawing up to 30,000 visitors daily, the museum announced the unexpected closure on social media, citing "exceptional reasons."
Details of the Robbery
Minister Dati reported that the incident occurred without any injuries. She was present at the scene alongside museum staff and police. According to preliminary police findings reported by the French newspaper Le Parisien, a group of hooded criminals accessed the museum from the River Seine side, where construction work was underway. After breaking windows, two intruders made their way to the Galerie d’Apollon, home to a stunning collection of French Crown Jewels.
The thieves successfully escaped with nine pieces of jewellery, including a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara, all from the collection of Napoleon and Empress Josephine. A third accomplice reportedly remained outside as a lookout.
Timeline of the Incident
The robbery took place between 9:30 and 9:40 AM, as noted by Le Monde. Eyewitness accounts revealed that the thieves arrived on scooters and utilized a freight lift to access their targeted area. They were reportedly equipped with small chainsaws, making their entry easier.
Social media users shared alarming images and videos from the scene. One post depicted a long ladder extending from the ground to the museum’s upper levels, while another captured the chaos as visitors fled in what appeared to be "total panic." A Twitter user, @kaci_calladetti, described a chaotic scene with police attempting to enter the museum through locked glass doors, as everyone inside rushed to escape.
The Louvre’s History with Theft
This is not the first time the Louvre has been targeted by thieves. In 1911, the famous Mona Lisa was stolen by a former museum employee who hid inside overnight and walked out with the painting concealed under his coat. It was recovered two years later in Florence, which significantly boosted the painting’s fame. In 1983, two pieces of Renaissance-era armor were stolen and only returned nearly four decades later.
The Louvre boasts a rich collection of over 33,000 works of art, including antiquities, sculptures, and masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
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