October 20, 2025
It was clearly a team that had done some reconnaissance, was clearly also very experienced and acting very, very quickly.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez describing a Sunday heist of valuable jewels from the world’s most visited museum, the Louvre.
Why It Matters: Thieves stole eight priceless pieces of Napoleonic and royal jewelry – including an emerald and diamond necklace and earring set once belonging to Empress Marie-Louise.
How Did They Do It: Using a truck with an extendable ladder, the group parked near the Louvre’s Apollon Gallery (one of the most recognizable locations in the museum), climbed to a second-floor balcony, cut through a window using power tools, then entered and smashed display cases. They grabbed specific jewels and fled in under 7 minutes, racing away on motorcycles.
Something to Note: The thieves dropped a crown with more than 1,000 diamonds as they made their getaway, and their attempt to set their vehicle on fire was thwarted by French security.
Learn More:
- Brazen Heist at Louvre Museum Snatches Priceless Royal Jewels (The Wall Street Journal)
- Louvre museum robbery: how the thieves broke in, what they stole and what happens next (The Guardian)
Image Credit: Louvre
by Jenna Lee, Founder of SmartHER News
