The Louvre museum reopened its doors today after the cinematic heist that occurred on Sunday morning, with loot worth €88 million. Live footage broadcast by Reuters and other media outlets shows visitors passing through the museum’s entrance gates for the first time since the theft, which made headlines worldwide.
It should be noted that the movie-like heist took place at the Louvre Museum on Sunday (19.10), where four masked men managed to snatch jewelry of priceless value in just 7 minutes. The daring break-in, reminiscent of the legendary Arsène Lupin, has caused international sensation and alarm among French authorities.
How they pulled off the cinematic Louvre heist
The perpetrators, wearing masks and riding scooters, entered from the Seine side, where maintenance work was in progress. Armed with small chainsaws, they used an elevator to reach directly to the Apollo Gallery, where the museum’s royal collections are housed.
According to information given today at midday on France Inter by Interior Minister and former Paris police chief Laurent Nunez, the burglars broke several windows with the help of a disc cutter and two of them entered the museum, while recent evidence suggests that there were four perpetrators in total.
French culture minister Rachida Dati confirms a robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
No injuries reported, but the museum has closed for “exceptional reasons” as investigations continue.
What was stolen remains unclear. #Louvre #Paris pic.twitter.com/2Fk2vtwxn2
— BPI News (@BPINewsOrg) October 19, 2025
Two were disguised as workers wearing vests – one yellow and one orange, while the other two waited on TMax-type scooters, ready for escape. To secure their access without arousing suspicion, they even placed safety cones around the point where the freight elevator was located, creating the illusion of legitimate technical work.
After breaking windows, two of the thieves entered the building, while the third remained outside as a “lookout.” In record time, they grabbed nine unique jewels from the “Napoléon” and “Souverains Français” showcases, including a tiara, necklace, and brooch that belonged to Empress Eugénie and Napoleon III.
The documentary video from the Louvre heist
Au #Louvre, ce dimanche à 9h30, des hommes cagoulés ont donc découpé des vitrines à la disqueuse et sont repartis par la fenêtre avec des bijoux.
C’est le résultat d’un laxisme généralisé en France. pic.twitter.com/Bjaxvq79LW— Watch This (@WatchThisfr) October 19, 2025
During their escape, they abandoned Empress Eugénie’s crown on the street, which was found damaged. They then fled on their scooters toward the A6 highway, leaving behind chaos and unanswered questions.
The stolen items and the “Apollo Gallery”
The stolen objects come from the Louvre’s most emblematic collections: Jewelry belonging to Marie-Louise, Marie-Amélie, Hortense, and Empress Eugénie. Among them, necklaces, earrings, tiaras, brooches, and a reliquary.
les bijoux qui ont été potentiellement volés au Louvre … dramatique #louvre pic.twitter.com/UQVnHBaIzP
— Stephan Breuer (@StephanBreuer1) October 19, 2025
Voilà une partie du butin volé au Louvre.
On peut compter sur l’état sécuritaire lamentable de notre pays pour que ce genre d’événement se reproduise. #Louvre pic.twitter.com/HtsvQW8oPZ— HchouneA (@toinoune_62) October 19, 2025
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that “eight jewels have been stolen,” while “a ninth object – Eugénie’s crown – was found on the ground.” All jewelry was stored in high-security display cases.
The Apollo Gallery, where the break-in occurred, is one of the Louvre’s most historic spaces. Designed in 1661, it houses the French Crown Diamond Collection, with works of priceless value such as the Regent (140 carats) and the Sancy (55.23 carats).
Investigation underway – What Macron and Nunez say
French President Emmanuel Macron characterized the heist as an “attack on our national heritage” and assured that “the stolen works will be found and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez acknowledged security problems in museums and announced new investments to strengthen security within the framework of the “Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance” program.
Authorities already have CCTV footage from inside and outside the museum, as well as citizen testimonies. According to the prosecutor’s office, one of the thieves threw away the yellow vest he was wearing, which was located and is being analyzed by forensic laboratories.
The boldest heist of the century?
The case has attracted worldwide interest, as it is one of the fastest and most well-planned break-ins ever recorded at a museum. Authorities are examining the possibility that the gang had inside information about the layout of the space and security measures.
As the Paris prosecutor stated: “The value of these objects is not only economic; it is historical. Each piece represents a piece of French history.”
Art trafficking ring suspected by Louvre president
Laurence des Cars, the first female president of the Louvre Museum since its founding in 1793, speaking about the authorities’ actions said that “although they mobilized immediately, they could not deal with an organized art trafficking ring.” “The agents who arrived first at the museum applied the security protocol with composure and professionalism. The police sealed the areas and then gradually evacuated visitors. All security teams involved reacted appropriately, which honors the Louvre,” the president stated.
However, she added that “…the thieves’ mode of operation was fast, precise, and brutal, confirming that our museums are targets of organizations specializing in art trafficking. Against this organized crime, our museums are no longer safe.”
