(upd6) The Louvre Museum was closed following a robbery lasting only 7 minutes that occurred on the morning of Sunday, 19/10 in the Apollo Gallery, from which the perpetrators seized jewelry of inestimable value.
An alert has been issued in Paris, and police investigations are fully underway, as initial reports indicate that the thieves escaped with 9 pieces of jewelry from Napoleon’s collection.
Outside the museum, one of the stolen jewels was found, reportedly part of Empress Eugénie’s crown, which was broken.
The robbery, which lasted only 7 minutes, was confirmed by the French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, who described it as a “major robbery” and stated that “jewelry of inestimable value” was stolen.
The perpetrators – two entered the building while one remained outside – reportedly arrived outside the museum on a motorcycle and were equipped with small chainsaws.
The Paris Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the robbery.
7-minute robbery
According to Le Parisien, the thieves wore masks, entered the building from the Seine side, where construction works are ongoing, and used a service elevator to access the Apollo Gallery, stealing items from the jewelry collection of Napoleon and the Empress.
The two broke windows to enter the gallery, grabbed the jewelry, and fled.
Nuñez (Minister of the Interior): The stolen jewelry is of inestimable value
“The jewelry stolen this morning from the Louvre Museum is of inestimable value,” stated French Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez, referring to 3 or 4 thieves acting within 7 minutes.
According to Nuñez, the perpetrators acted very quickly.
“An investigation has already begun, and a detailed list of the stolen items is being compiled. Beyond their commercial value, these items have inestimable value in terms of heritage and history,” according to the French Ministry of the Interior.
Dati (Minister of Culture): no injuries reported
Investigations are ongoing, and according to reports, jewelry from Napoleon’s collection was stolen.
As announced earlier via her post, the French Minister of Culture, Raschida Dati, stated: “A robbery occurred this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum. No injuries were reported. I am on site with museum staff and the police. Investigations are ongoing.”
According to the minister’s office, one or more perpetrators entered the museum.
Speaking to TF1 about the robbery, Raschida Dati said the stolen items are of inestimable value and confirmed that there was no violence or panic.
Museum evacuated and closed
The museum announced it was closed for “exceptional reasons.”
Un cambriolage a eu lieu au Louvre ce matin.
— Antoine Forestier (@a_forestier) October 19, 2025
Importante présence policière sur place.
La foule est tenue à distance.
Le musée restera fermé aujourd'hui. @BFMTV pic.twitter.com/E3Oo048ZQO
Jewelry stolen
In a photo posted by a user on X, between the museum and the Seine, police officers can be seen inspecting an external service elevator that leads to a balcony of the building, where the Apollo Gallery is located, hosting jewelry of the French crown.
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