Thieves Steal France’s Crown Jewels

 

By Oriontimes News Desk | Paris, France | October 21, 2025

In an audacious daylight operation that stunned France and the art world, a group of unidentified thieves broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday morning, making away with priceless Napoleonic-era jewels in less than ten minutes.

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ccording to French media reports, the robbery occurred around 9:30 a.m., shortly after the museum opened to the public. The suspects allegedly used a basket lift to access a second-floor window of the Galerie d’Apollon, the grand hall housing the French Crown Jewels and other royal treasures.

Once inside, the thieves smashed reinforced display cases, seizing eight historic items including diamond-encrusted brooches, necklaces, and ceremonial ornaments dating back to the reign of Napoleon III. A ninth item, believed to be a jeweled crown, was reportedly dropped during their hasty escape.

The entire operation lasted between four and seven minutes, and no injuries were reported. Witnesses said the robbers disappeared into nearby streets before security personnel could respond.

France’s Justice Minister condemned the incident, calling it “a blow to the nation’s heritage and international image,” while vowing that authorities would “hunt down every accomplice involved.” The Louvre has remained closed since the heist as investigators comb the scene for clues.

Experts estimate the stolen jewels could be worth tens of millions of euros, though officials stress that their cultural and historical significance far outweighs any monetary value.

This latest theft has reignited debates over museum security and the vulnerability of cultural landmarks, even in one of the world’s most guarded institutions.

As France intensifies efforts to recover the treasures, the world watches, once again reminded that even the most revered halls of art and history are not beyond the reach of daring criminals.