What we know about the Louvre jewellery heist

BBC ^ | 10/19/2025 | BBC News

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The robbers reached a first-floor window and cut through glass panes to gain access to the museum's gilded Galerie d'Apollon

The Louvre Museum in Paris has been forced to close while police investigate a brazen heist which reportedly targeted France's priceless crown jewels.

Thieves wielding power tools broke into the world's most visited museum in broad daylight, before escaping on scooters with items said to be of "incalculable" value.

Here is what we know about the crime which has stunned France.

How did the theft unfold?

The theft occurred on Sunday between 09:30 and 09:40 local time, shortly after the museum opened to visitors.

The thieves appear to have used a mechanical ladder to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony close to the River Seine.

Pictures from the scene showed a vehicle-mounted ladder leading up to a first-floor window.

The thieves are then said to have cut through glass panes with an angle grinder or chainsaw to gain access to the museum.

Culture Minister Rachida Dati told French news outlet TF1 that footage of the theft showed the masked robbers entering "calmly" and smashing display cases containing the jewels.

No one was injured in the incident, with Dati saying there been "no violence, very professional".

She described the thieves as seemingly being "experienced" with a well-prepared plan to flee on scooters.

The thieves approached the building from the River Seine bankside

Investigators believe three or four suspects were involved and are studying CCTV footage from the escape route.

The whole raid happened "very, very fast", Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told France Inter radio, and was over in a handful of minutes.

One witness described scenes of "total panic" as the museum was evacuated. Later images showed entrances closed off with metal gates.

Police and staff ushered confused crowds away from the Louvre

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: artifacts; crownjewels; france; galeriedapollon; galleryofapollo; godsgravesglyphs; goldheist; heist; jewelheist; jewelry; louvre; paris; riverseine; scooters; thieves

[vpintheak]

We know Europe is weak, and woke. They have essentially de-balled their men. Culture is on it’s death bed. Criminals take advantage of that.

[lee martell]

This reads like a cartoon movie script from The Pink Panther.

[Fido969]

I am dying for the movie to come out!

[xxqqzz]

This is the French crown joules that were stolen. They don’t have a king anymore, but they still had crown joules.

[gloryblaze]

Jeez, climbed right up a crane ladder there for renovation work and left in place.

All those construction workers with tools look alike, I guess.

[kosciusko51]

Watt’s up with that?

[Empire_of_Liberty]

I find it hard to believe that the Louvre is displaying real jewels.

[lefty-lie-spy]

All the feelings I have about this is just to laugh at Europe.

[Repeal The 17th]

“...was over in a handful of minutes...”
-
How many minutes are in a handful?

[gloryblaze]

I find it hard to believe that the Louvre is displaying real jewels.

Why? Replicas aren't going to draw crowds of honest people. Their value is their originality. And they are - or should be - guarded more carefully than some storage area.

[Ezekiel]

I am dying for the movie to come out!<<<

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Catch_a_Thief

As it turns out, Danielle is still alive:

Born Marie-Claire Cahen de Labzac
27 April 1925 (age 100)
Paris, France
Occupation Actress
Years active 1945–1998 • 2022–present 🤔

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigitte_Auber

[scrabblehack]

It seems like it would take more than 4-7 minutes to cut through a window. Maybe once it’s done, then 4-7 minutes to steal the items.

There are quite a few windows in the Louvre (I’ve never been, but I’m looking at it on google maps). They’ve got a serious problem if it’s that easy to break in.

[nwrep]

“Culture Minister Rachida Dati”

I think I see the problem.

[Ezekiel]

How many minutes are in a handful?<<<

I’d say a bunch. They are minute, after all.

[algore]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39409754

anyone remember this ? came from the river side, used ladder

except I can calculate the value of this about $15 or 16 million depending on what the premium is.

I would still like one just cause it is cool.

recently there were these criminal masterminds:

https://www.aol.com/news/statue-abraham-lincoln-stolen-louisiana-182131851.html

I thought the statue was cool so I am having some made.

[Empire_of_Liberty]

I would think that jewels could be duplicated, exactly. I would think that insurance would demand it.

The rubes looking through a case would never know the difference.

[algore]

“I find it hard to believe that the Louvre is displaying real jewels.”

normally I would agree with you, like I don’t believe for a second that the Crown jewels on display in England are real, they got really pissy when I took pictures and made me delete them. (undelete is easy :)

[algore]

one of the best Dr Who episodes was about a Louvre robbery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgsrNhHNAA

[gloryblaze]

I would think that jewels could be duplicated, exactly. I would think that insurance would demand it.

The rubes looking through a case would never know the difference.

Something like a fake one and only jeweled artifact in a famed museum would be public knowledge. As you say, fakes are a dime a dozen and would only draw flies.