In a brazen early-morning raid, thieves have made off with nine pieces of France’s crown jewels from the Louvre, one of the world’s most iconic museums. 

The incident occurred shortly after the museum opened on Sunday, prompting an immediate closure for the day, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed.

According to local media reports, three masked men broke into the Louvre and accessed the Apollo Gallery – located on the Seine River side of the museum – via a goods lift. It is here that what remains of France’s historic crown jewels are housed. 

Witnesses said the thieves were armed with small chainsaws and fled the scene on a motor scooter. Authorities launched a search immediately, while the value of the stolen items is being assessed.

The Louvre, covering almost 73,000 square metres of exhibition space – more than ten football pitches – was originally constructed in 1546 as a royal palace for King Francis I, an avid art collector. 

Successive monarchs, including Louis XIV, expanded the collection, with some acquisitions drawn from the English royal collection following the execution of King Charles I. The museum remained largely private until the French Revolution, and in 1793 it was opened to the public.

Today, the Louvre is home to more than 35,000 works of art, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, attracting roughly 30,000 visitors daily. 

The theft has shocked the art world and French authorities alike, raising concerns over security at even the most prestigious cultural institutions.

Investigators are combing the surrounding areas and checking surveillance footage, while international agencies may be brought in to track down the stolen treasures. This audacious robbery underscores the enduring allure – and vulnerability – of priceless historical artefacts.

# Agencies