Louvre Museum Closes After Daylight Heist Steals Napoleon's Jewels

The Louvre Museum in Paris was closed on October 19, 2025, following a daring heist during its opening hours, where thieves stole nine priceless pieces from the jewelry collection of Napoleon and Empress Eugénie, including French crown jewels housed in the Galerie d'Apollon. The robbers gained entry using a construction lift with an extendable ladder to break a window and quickly stole the items, fleeing the scene on motorcycles within approximately seven minutes. One stolen piece, the Empress's crown adorned with thousands of diamonds and emeralds, was recovered nearby but damaged. French authorities, including the Paris judicial police’s Banditry Repression Brigade and the Central Office for the Fight Against Trafficking Cultural Goods, are investigating the incident, which has raised concerns about security at the museum. High-ranking officials, including Culture Minister Rachida Dati, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, have expressed support for the investigation and emphasized the need for a swift resolution. The museum, which attracts millions of visitors annually and is home to iconic works like the Mona Lisa, closed as a security measure to preserve evidence and ensure visitor safety.