Another Theft at the Louvre Museum After 2011, Investigation Under Tight Security

International Desk | PNN

A daring theft took place at the Louvre Museum on Sunday morning when a group of thieves broke a window and stole jewelry during daytime hours. The thieves reportedly used a basket lift to open the museum window and gain entry. They smashed display cases and took away valuable jewels described as “priceless” by both France’s interior minister and museum authorities.

The incident occurred while the museum was open to visitors. Following the theft, the Louvre was forced to shut down, and an investigation was immediately launched. Police sealed the gates and evacuated tourists. Museum officials confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident.

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati posted on the X platform, saying, “A robbery took place this morning at the Louvre Museum.” She described it as the work of professionals, telling French TV channel TF1, “It was a four-minute operation, carried out without any violence.”

France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the theft took around seven minutes and that the thieves used a disc cutter to breach the window. He added that it was a coordinated operation carried out by an organized group that had planned the heist in advance.

During the incident, several individuals entered the Louvre, stole the jewels, and escaped on motorcycles. Museum authorities confirmed that a full investigation is underway and that an inventory of the stolen items is being prepared. “Beyond their market value, these objects hold immense historical and cultural importance,” the museum stated.

Security around the Louvre’s top treasures is extremely tight. The Mona Lisa is protected by bulletproof glass to prevent any damage and is part of a sophisticated anti-theft system equipped with advanced display technology.

The last major theft at the Louvre occurred in 2011, when the Mona Lisa was stolen after a thief broke in. The painting was recovered two years later in Florence.

The Louvre Museum is one of the world’s most visited museums, attracting around 30,000 visitors each day. It houses a collection of 33,000 works, including ancient artifacts, sculptures, and European masterpieces.