Daring Heist at the Louvre: Napoleon-Era Jewels Stolen in Sophisticated 7-Minute Operation

The Louvre museum in Paris has temporarily closed following the theft of Napoleon-era jewels from its esteemed collection. The iconic institution, which houses the famous Mona Lisa among other world-renowned treasures, became the target of a sophisticated heist. France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the incident as a "major robbery" where thieves escaped with "priceless jewellery."

According to reports, the robbery took place at approximately 9:30 am when intruders accessed the museum through the Seine-facing facade that was undergoing construction. The thieves utilized a hydraulic ladder to reach the Apollo Gallery, which was displaying selections from the French Crown Jewels collection at the time.

Nunez revealed that the perpetrators breached security by cutting windowpanes with "a disc cutter," indicating that the operation had been meticulously planned in advance. The entire heist was executed with remarkable efficiency, lasting merely "seven minutes."

French daily Le Parisien reported that the thieves made off with "nine pieces" from "Napoleon and the Empress" jewellery collection. One stolen item was subsequently discovered outside the museum premises. The Louvre administration has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, citing "exceptional reasons" for the abrupt closure.

The Paris prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation and is currently "assessing the damage" caused by the break-in. Culture Minister Rachida Dati first confirmed the robbery, stating that no injuries occurred during the incident and that she was on location with museum staff and police officials.

Visuals from the scene showed barricades established outside the museum entrance with confused crowds waiting as authorities regulated traffic around the area.

The Louvre stands as the world's most visited museum, attracting up to 30,000 visitors daily. Its collection comprises over 33,000 artifacts, including priceless antiquities, sculptures, and paintings. While the Mona Lisa remains its primary attraction, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace are also significant draws for international tourists.

Throughout its history, the museum has experienced several security breaches. Most famously, the Mona Lisa was stolen in 1911 by Vincenzo Peruggia, a former employee who concealed the painting under his coat as he left the building. The masterpiece was recovered two years later in Florence, Italy.

Prior to this incident, the most recent significant theft occurred in 1983 when two Renaissance-era armor pieces disappeared from the museum's collection. Those items were eventually recovered in 2021 after nearly four decades.