Paris in Shock After Daring Louvre Heist: Thieves Snatch French Crown Jewels in 7-Minute Raid

Paris woke up to disbelief and disbelief turned into outrage after a group of thieves executed a bold, daylight robbery at the Louvre one of the most heavily guarded museums in the world. In a scene that could have been pulled from a blockbuster film, the culprits spent just seven minutes inside before vanishing with priceless pieces of France’s royal heritage.

A Scene Straight Out Of A Movie

The heist unfolded on a crisp Sunday morning, moments after the Louvre opened its doors to visitors. At around 9:30am, four men reportedly arrived on scooters armed with angle grinders and an extendable ladder the kind usually used for furniture delivery. Within half a minute, they were inside the Apollo Gallery, where France’s crown jewels have been displayed for centuries.

Tourists who had been waiting in line were stunned when alarms blared and soldiers moved in to cordon off the area around the museum’s iconic glass pyramid. “It was like a Hollywood movie,” said American visitor Talia Ocampo. “We couldn’t believe it the Louvre, robbed in broad daylight.”

Priceless Heritage Lost

According to France’s culture ministry, the thieves targeted two reinforced display cases, stealing eight pieces of jewellery from the collection. Among them were the emerald-and-diamond necklace Napoleon gifted to Empress Marie Louise, the sapphire necklace of Queen Marie Amelie, and the emerald earrings of Queen Hortense.

In their rush to escape, the robbers dropped one of their most valuable prizes the diamond-and-emerald crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III covered in more than 1,300 diamonds and 56 emeralds.

Police believe the thieves fled on scooters, navigating the narrow Parisian streets just 800 metres from police headquarters.

Political Outrage And Public Reaction

The robbery has ignited fierce debate across France about the country’s cultural security. President Emmanuel Macron assured the public that “everything is being done” to catch those responsible, while opposition leaders wasted no time criticising the government.

“France has been stolen,” declared Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Republicans, while far-right National Rally chief Jordan Bardella called it “an unbearable humiliation for our country.”

Online, the reaction was immediate. French social media users expressed disbelief that such a heist could happen at the Louvre, with one post reading, “Not even the Mona Lisa feels safe anymore.” Others compared the theft to the legendary 1911 Mona Lisa heist, which made global headlines more than a century ago.

A Growing Pattern Of Cultural Theft

The Louvre heist is the latest in a worrying trend of museum robberies across France. In recent months, thieves stole gold samples worth €600,000 from Paris’s Natural History Museum and looted rare porcelain worth €6.5 million from Limoges.

Newly appointed Interior Minister Laurent Nunez admitted that France’s museums face “great vulnerability,” promising an urgent review of security systems. Ironically, President Macron had announced plans earlier this year to redesign and reinforce Louvre security after concerns were raised by its director.

The World Watches Paris

The Louvre once the palace of French kings before Louis XIV moved to Versailles draws over nine million visitors a year. It stands as a symbol of France’s cultural pride and resilience. But this latest theft has shaken public confidence, turning a site of wonder into one of vulnerability.

As investigators pore over CCTV footage and witness statements, Paris waits anxiously. For now, the world’s most visited museum remains closed not for art, but for evidence.

{Source:EWN}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com