Thieves Steal French Crown Jewels in Daylight Louvre Heist

On October 19, 2025, thieves executed a rapid and sophisticated heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing nine priceless jewels from the Galerie d’Apollon, which houses part of the French Crown Jewels collection linked to Napoleon and Empress Eugénie. The operation, lasting between four and seven minutes, involved the use of a truck-mounted aerial lift and an angle grinder to break into an upstairs window, followed by smashing display cases and escaping on motorbikes. Among the stolen items was the emerald-studded crown of Empress Eugénie, which was later recovered damaged outside the museum, apparently dropped during the escape. French officials described the jewels as having inestimable historical and heritage value, and an investigation into organized theft and criminal conspiracy has been launched. The heist has intensified scrutiny over the museum's security, highlighting concerns about understaffing and vulnerabilities amid ongoing construction work on the Seine-facing facade. The Louvre, one of the world's most visited museums, was closed for the day to preserve evidence and aid the investigation.