Jewels Worth $102 Million Stolen in Daring Heist at Paris’s Louvre Museum

Thieves carried out a swift, seven-minute heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing historic jewels valued at $102 million, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

A daring theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris has left French authorities scrambling after a collection of royal and historic jewels was stolen from the Apollo Gallery.

The French Interior Ministry said the heist occurred on Sunday when several unidentified individuals entered the gallery and took multiple valuable items within just seven minutes.

French media reported that among the stolen items was the crown of Queen Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, which was later recovered outside the museum but sustained damage. The crown features 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds.

Investigators believe the thieves entered through a shattered balcony window, and police have launched a full-scale probe with forensic teams combing the scene. The Ministry of Culture confirmed that while one sapphire earring was recovered, several royal artifacts remain missing.

The Louvre, originally built in the 12th century as a royal palace and transformed into a public museum in 1793, remains the world’s most visited cultural landmark. More than 8.7 million people visited it last year.

Museum officials say the institution has faced rising challenges due to overcrowding, aging infrastructure, and financial strain. Its director had recently warned that climate fluctuations and leaks were threatening the preservation of priceless artworks.

Security experts told French media that the precision and speed of the theft suggest the involvement of a highly organized group familiar with museum operations.

Authorities have not yet made any arrests, but the government has vowed to strengthen security across major museums nationwide amid fears of further cultural property thefts.

The post Jewels Worth $102 Million Stolen in Daring Heist at Paris’s Louvre Museum appeared first on Khaama Press.