Napoleon’s Diamond Crown and Emerald Necklace Stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris

Eight priceless French crown jewels, including Empress Eugenie’s 19th-century diamond crown and the emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon to Empress Marie Louise, were stolen from the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery in a daring daylight robbery.

In a shocking incident that has left France stunned, thieves broke into the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday and executed one of the boldest heists in recent history – stealing invaluable pieces of French heritage within just seven minutes. The robbers fled with a gem-encrusted crown and other royal jewels, prompting immediate closure of the museum and an extensive police Investigation.

The French Ministry of Culture confirmed that the thieves targeted the Apollo Gallery – home to the French crown jewels – seizing eight historic pieces including Empress Eugenie’s diamond crown and the emerald-and-diamond necklace that Napoleon Bonaparte gifted to his wife, Empress Marie Louise.

French President Emmanuel Macron assured citizens via social media that “everything is being done” to track down the criminals and recover the looted treasures. The museum, which attracts millions of visitors annually and houses masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, was immediately evacuated following the heist.

“Like a Hollywood Movie,” Say Tourists

Witnesses described the scene as surreal. “It felt like a Hollywood movie,” said Talia Ocampo, an American tourist. “It’s crazy, but something we won’t forget – we couldn’t go inside the Louvre because there was a robbery happening.” Police cordoned off the area as soldiers patrolled the museum’s iconic glass pyramid entrance.

Details of the Heist: What Was Stolen

According to the culture ministry, two high-security display cases were broken open using angle grinders, and eight irreplaceable jewels were taken. These included:

Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that a group of four armed thieves carried out the robbery. Around 60 investigators are now working on the case. The criminals reportedly threatened guards and used an extendable furniture hoist ladder to climb into the gallery.

Interestingly, authorities revealed that Empress Eugenie’s crown was recovered after the thieves accidentally dropped it during their escape. The museum described the crown as being “coated in 56 emeralds and 1,354 diamonds.”

How It Happened: “It Took Just 30 Seconds to Get In”

The daring robbery occurred shortly after the museum opened to the public at 9 a.m.. The suspects arrived between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m., riding scooters and armed with angle grinders. According to eyewitness Samir, who spoke to French television channel TF1, “I saw two people get on the hoist, break the window, and enter – it took 30 seconds. Then they sped away on scooters.”

Despite the proximity of the Louvre to the Paris Police Headquarters-barely 800 meters away-the robbers managed to flee before reinforcements arrived. Museum authorities immediately shut down operations to “preserve evidence and clues for investigators.”

Political Backlash and Public Outrage

The heist triggered a storm of political outrage across France. Far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella called the incident “an unbearable humiliation for our country.” Meanwhile, Laurent Wauquiez of the Republican Party declared in parliament, “France has been stolen. We must protect what is most precious to us – our history.”

Security Concerns: A Pattern of Museum Heists

The Louvre, once the royal palace of the French monarchs before Louis XIV moved to Versailles in the 17th century, remains the world’s most visited museum with nearly nine million visitors annually. However, the robbery has reignited debate over the vulnerability of France’s cultural institutions.

Former Paris police chief and now Interior Minister Laurent Nunez admitted there is “a great vulnerability” in French museum security. The Louvre incident follows several high-profile thefts:

• Natural History Museum (Paris): Gold samples worth €600,000 stolen last month.
• Limoges Museum: Two plates and a vase worth €6.5 million stolen earlier this year.
• Louvre 1998: A Camille Corot painting vanished and remains missing.
• Mona Lisa 1911: Stolen by an Italian employee, later recovered and now secured behind bulletproof glass.

Government Response and Security Overhaul

President Macron reiterated on Sunday that the Louvre’s ongoing redesign project-announced earlier this year-will include enhanced surveillance systems, reinforced display cases, and upgraded alarm mechanisms to prevent future incidents. “The Louvre is not just a museum; it is the heart of France’s heritage,” Macron emphasized.

Conclusion: France on Edge After Daring Louvre Heist

This audacious robbery underscores both the brilliance of the thieves and the vulnerabilities within world-class institutions. As France reels from the loss of its imperial jewels, global eyes remain fixed on Paris – awaiting justice, restoration, and answers. For now, the empty display cases in the Apollo Gallery stand as a haunting reminder of how, in just seven minutes, a piece of history vanished from the world’s greatest museum.

Reported by Ashish – bringing verified, expert, and trustworthy insights on global affairs and cultural heritage crimes.