The 7-Minute Heist: Priceless Jewels Stolen from the Louvre
- squint
- Oct 20
- 2 min read
On the morning of Sunday, October 19, 2025, at around 9:30 a.m., the world’s most famous museum faced a shocking theft. Four thieves entered the Galerie d’Apollon, one of the Louvre’s most magnificent sections, and in just seven minutes, they stole eight priceless jewels from France’s royal and imperial collections.
Disguised as construction workers, the thieves approached the building from the Seine-facing side, where renovation work was ongoing. Using a vehicle-mounted basket lift, they reached the second floor and gained access through a window. Once inside, they employed power tools — mainly cordless angle grinders — to cut through the reinforced glass display cases, swiftly removing their targets.
The stolen pieces were carefully selected, focusing on Napoleonic-era treasures. The most notable of these was the emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon Bonaparte to his wife, Empress Marie-Louise, designed in 1810 and regarded as one of the most exquisite pieces of the imperial jewelry era. Other highlights included Empress Eugénie’s tiara and brooch and sapphire parures from Queen Marie-Amélie and Hortense de Beauharnais. Interestingly, the museum’s Regent Diamond was untouched.
After securing the jewels, the thieves fled — reportedly on motorcycles or scooters — leaving the museum staff and security guards unharmed but stunned.
The Louvre temporarily closed its doors, and French authorities launched a full-scale investigation.
This daring heist, executed with precision and speed, underscores both the value of these cultural treasures and the vulnerabilities that even the world’s most prestigious museums can face. Experts warn that the stolen jewels, if broken down or recut, may be virtually impossible to trace, making the loss not only financial but also a significant cultural blow.
The 2025 Louvre robbery will be remembered as one of the boldest museum thefts in modern history — a striking reminder that art and heritage remain treasures worth protecting at all costs.
