Daylight Heist at the Louvre: French Royal Jewels Stolen in 8 Minutes

By Alexus Mosley

On October 19, four thieves disguised as construction workers executed a swift heist at the Louvre’s Galerie d’Apollon. Using a mechanical lift, they accessed a second-floor window, cut through display cases with power tools, and stole eight priceless jewels linked to French royalty and Napoleon’s lineage. The entire operation lasted under eight minutes.

Among the stolen items were a diamond-and-emerald crown belonging to Empress Eugénie and a sapphire tiara once worn by Queen Marie-Amélie. Notably, the Empress Eugénie's crown was found discarded outside the museum, damaged but still identifiable.

The French government has confirmed that these treasures were uninsured due to a national policy where the state self-insures items within national museums to avoid high premiums.

The theft has sparked national outrage, with politicians demanding accountability and a reevaluation of museum security protocols. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the act as an attack on France’s heritage, vowing to recover the stolen items and bring the perpetrators to justice.