The Louvre Museum in Paris reopened on Wednesday, three days after a daring €88 million ($102 million) jewellery heist that stunned the global art world and raised alarm over cultural security in France.
Crowds streamed once again through the museum’s iconic glass pyramid, signaling a cautious return to normalcy after an incident that officials described as “an attack on heritage.”
A Daring Daylight Robbery
According to investigators, four masked thieves struck at around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, shortly after the museum had opened to visitors.
They used a crane mounted on a small truck to smash through an upper-level window of the Galerie d’Apollon, the section housing France’s crown jewels, before escaping on motorbikes.
Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau told BFM TV that the entire robbery lasted between six and seven minutes. Although the gang was unarmed, they reportedly threatened guards with angle grinders, forcing compliance as they looted the display cases.
Priceless Royal Jewels Taken
Authorities confirmed that nine objects were targeted and eight stolen, including rare royal pieces from the 19th century.
The robbers dropped one, the crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III—while fleeing. “It’s worth several tens of millions of euros – just this crown. And it’s not, in my opinion, the most important item,” said Alexandre Giquello, president of the Drouot auction house.
The thieves ignored the Regent Diamond, one of the world’s most valuable gems, estimated by Sotheby’s to exceed $60 million. “I don’t have an explanation,” Beccuau admitted. “It’ll only be when they’re in custody and face investigators that we’ll know what type of order they had and why they didn’t target that window.”
Macron Condemns ‘Attack on History’
President Emmanuel Macron called the theft “an attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our History.” He promised swift justice, saying, “We will recover the works, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
The statement underscored growing national anxiety over the protection of cultural assets amid budgetary concerns about museum security.
Heightened Security and Public Concern
Museum officials said security systems have been reinforced to protect the Louvre’s 35,000-piece collection, which includes global treasures like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
Investigators have recovered a yellow reflective vest believed to belong to one of the robbers and are analyzing the failed attempt to set the crane ablaze during their escape.
Cultural Shock and Recovery
The Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors in 2024, making it the most-visited museum in the world. The theft, one of Europe’s boldest in decades, highlights the vulnerability of high-profile cultural landmarks even in countries with advanced security infrastructure.
As visitors returned this week, relief mingled with unease, reflecting the fragile balance between public access and the protection of priceless heritage.
