Louvre heist: The perfect plan and eight stolen jewels in just 7 minutes

The news of a Hollywood-style heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris has been making headlines worldwide. The robbery took place on Sunday (19/10), during which the perpetrators managed to steal eight priceless artifacts right under the authorities’ noses.

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Louvre heist: The perpetrators grabbed eight jewels in seven minutes

The French Ministry of Culture released the list of jewelry stolen by the perpetrators in this movie-like break-in, accomplished in just seven minutes. According to Sky News, the items include:

The tiara from the jewelry set of Queen Marie Amélie and Queen Hortense:

The necklace from the sapphire set of Queen Marie Amélie and Queen Hortense:

One earring from the Ceylon sapphire set of Queen Marie Amélie and Queen Hortense.

The emerald necklace from Empress Marie Louise’s jewelry set. The necklace features 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds.

A pair of emerald earrings from Marie Louise’s jewelry set:

A brooch known as a reliquary pin:

Empress Eugénie’s tiara:

Empress Eugénie’s bow brooch, which contains 2,634 diamonds and was purchased by the Louvre Museum for 6.72 million euros. Before its acquisition in 2008, it was in a private collection in the United States:

How the cinematic Louvre heist unfolded

As revealed by prosecutor Laure Beccuau speaking to BFMTV, the thieves threatened the guards who were present at the iconic museum at the time. She also clarified that the lifting platform used by the perpetrators to break into the Louvre Museum was not there due to construction work, as had leaked, but was brought by the thieves themselves.

Additionally, although the alarm system was functioning normally, it’s uncertain whether the signal was detected by the security center. It’s worth noting that the heist lasted only seven minutes. As prosecutor Laure Beccuau characteristically stated: “We have video footage from the museum’s security cameras and from Paris city cameras,” while mentioning evidence showing careful preparation and a high level of organization. She also emphasized that this was an act of organized crime, suggesting professional criminals without ruling out foreign involvement, though it’s not considered likely.

Perpetrators remain at large

The prosecutor also confirmed that the four perpetrators, whom she described as “commandos,” remain at large, while investigations to locate them continue.

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged that the perpetrators will be found and brought to justice, and that museum security will be strengthened, with the stolen items returned. In a message on X, he condemned the theft, describing it as “an attack on cultural heritage that we cherish because it is our history.” He commented: “We will find the works and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Everything is being done, everywhere, under the guidance of the Paris Prosecutor’s Office, to achieve this result.”

They impersonated workers

The two perpetrators, according to Le Parisien, were dressed in yellow vests impersonating workers in a truck with lifting equipment, while two others rode scooters. Using the lifting equipment, they reached the first floor of the building from the Seine riverbank side, where construction work was taking place, without arousing suspicion.

The released video showing one of the perpetrators in a yellow vest and hood cutting a hole with a portable grinder in the glass display case in the famous Apollo Gallery, where precious jewelry and imperial treasures are kept, is particularly revealing.

The perpetrators broke two display cases, one containing “Napoleon’s jewelry” and one with “French rulers’ jewelry.” They escaped with priceless loot while hundreds of visitors were in the museum at the time.

Empress Eugénie’s crown found

The perpetrators descended again using the lifting equipment and fled on two scooters. Shortly after, authorities found two wheels, gasoline, gloves, walkie-talkies, a blanket, a vest, and a piece of jewelry that possibly fell from the thieves on the road. It was Empress Eugénie’s crown, which sustained damage, according to AFP. The crown of Napoleon III’s wife, a typical example of imperial crowns, consists of 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, as described on the Louvre website.

Empress Eugénie’s crown found outside the museum:

According to a museum source, the famous 140-carat “Régent” diamond, the largest in the collection, was not stolen. It’s worth noting that it’s considered “cursed” as those who possessed it met unfortunate ends.

Very well-organized plan

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez commented on the heist, saying the perpetrators had a very well-organized plan that they executed in just 7 minutes. From the moment the theft was discovered, the museum closed, and Culture Minister Rachida Dati rushed to the scene. As she wrote on social media: “A heist occurred this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum. No injuries reported. I am on site with museum staff and police. Investigations are ongoing.”

The moment visitors evacuated the museum:

The Apollo Gallery at the Louvre Museum: