According to police, four masked men used a vehicle-mounted lift to reach a first-floor window of the museum’s famed Galerie d’Apollon shortly after it opened at 9:30 a.m., BBC reported. They cut through glass panes with power tools, threatened guards, and smashed display cases before fleeing on scooters. The entire operation lasted less than seven minutes.
No one was injured, and authorities described the theft as “highly professional.” Culture Minister Rachida Dati said the robbers appeared calm and experienced, with a well-prepared escape plan.
Eight pieces of 19th-century jewellery were stolen, including tiaras, necklaces, earrings and brooches once belonging to Empress Eugénie, Empress Marie Louise, Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense. Two other items — including Eugénie’s crown — were recovered nearby after being dropped during the escape.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez called the missing jewels “of immeasurable heritage value.” Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the four suspects.
The theft has stunned France and revived memories of past museum heists, including the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa and a string of recent robberies targeting French institutions, such as the Adrien Dubouché and Cognacq-Jay museums.
What was stolen
According to the authorities, eight items were taken, including diadems, necklaces, ear-rings and brooches. All are from the 19th century, and once belonged to French royalty or imperial rulers.
France’s ministry of culture said the stolen items were:
- A tiara and brooch belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III
- An emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings from Empress Marie Louise
- A tiara, necklace and single earring from the sapphire set that belonged to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense
- A brooch known as the “reliquary brooch”
Between them, these pieces are adorned with thousands of diamonds and other precious gemstones.
Two more items, including Empress Eugénie’s crown, were found near the scene, apparently having been dropped during the escape. The authorities are examining them for damage.
