Could the French TV series Lupin have predicted the recent heist at the Louvre? On October 19, a group of skilled thieves executed a brazen theft at the renowned Paris museum, escaping with priceless crown jewels in just seven minutes.
The audacious act occurred shortly after the museum opened at 9:30 am. Utilizing a truck-mounted ladder, the criminals accessed the Galerie d’Apollon through a second-floor window, which they pried open with an angle grinder. Once inside, they smashed at least two display cases, quickly collecting the valuable artifacts before fleeing on two Yamaha scooters into the morning traffic.
According to French authorities, the stolen goods included eight crown jewels, most dating back to the late Napoleonic era. Among the haul was a damaged crown belonging to Empress Eugénie, which was abandoned during the escape. However, the thieves successfully made off with her ornate tiara featuring 212 pearls, 1,998 diamonds, and 992 rose-cut diamonds. They also snatched a bow brooch adorned with 2,438 diamonds and 196 rose-cut stones, and a parure comprising a tiara with sapphires and a necklace that belonged to Queen Maria Amalia.
It’s challenging to assign a monetary value to this collection, as the items are considered irreplaceable pieces of French heritage, complicating their sale on the black market. Typically, in high-profile thefts, perpetrators may dismantle the artifacts, melt metals, and re-cut gems to eliminate traceability, potentially yielding tens of millions of euros.
Experts note that the heist showcased significant flaws in the museum’s security, which has been strained by inadequate staffing and an influx of visitors. In response, a nationwide and international manhunt is underway, with law enforcement analyzing surveillance footage for leads.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incident and assured that those involved would face justice. This robbery starkly contrasts with Vincenzo Peruggia’s infamous theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911, which ended in the painting’s recovery after two years. Perhaps a similar fate awaits the stolen jewels.
For further context, this story initially appeared on WIRED Italia and has since been translated.
