EUROPE (Enmaeya News) - October 20, 2025

A group of thieves stole several historic pieces of jewelry from the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday morning, in one of the most daring robberies the museum has seen in years.

French police said the robbery happened around 9:30 a.m., shortly after the museum opened. Four masked people arrived in a truck fitted with a lift, reached a second-floor balcony, and broke into glass display cases using power tools.

The alarm went off, but the thieves escaped on motorbikes within minutes, before security could stop them.

According to The Guardian, the stolen pieces include a tiara, earrings, and a sapphire necklace that once belonged to French queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense. A crown belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, was dropped as the thieves fled. The museum confirmed that the Regent Diamond, one of its most valuable jewels, was not stolen.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the group appeared “highly professional” and had likely planned the heist carefully.

Authorities are reviewing security footage and nearby traffic cameras as part of the investigation.

President Emmanuel Macron condemned the theft, calling it “an attack on France’s cultural heritage.” He said the government would work to recover the stolen jewelry and strengthen museum security.

The robbery has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, who accused the government of failing to protect national treasures. Far-right leader Jordan Bardella called the incident “a national embarrassment.”

The Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, holds over 33,000 artworks, including the Mona Lisa. Officials said the museum will remain open while police continue their investigation and security systems are reviewed.