WATCH thieves pull off daring Louvre heist
The criminals broke the display cases with angle grinders and ran off with French crown jewels
A video circulating on social media shows thieves breaking into the Louvre and stealing French crown jewels in broad daylight.
In a short cellphone video, a person wearing a bright yellow vest can be seen tampering with a display case.
According to France 24, the thieves drove up to the museum on scooters Saturday, entered the Galerie d’Apollon using an extendable powered ladder, and broke through the window and display cases with angle grinders.
Donc on peut braquer le musée le plus connu de la planète en gilet jaune un dimanche matin en pleine journée. ????????♂️#Braquage #LMDL #Louvre pic.twitter.com/1Dljy85oIn
— Noesis (@EntreDeMondes) October 19, 2025
The Culture Ministry said eight artifacts were stolen, including a necklace Napoleon gave his wife, Empress Marie Louise, and the diadem of Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III.
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They also attempted to steal Eugenie’s crown, but it was later found near the museum in a “damaged” state.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said the thieves were likely hired to steal specific items or carried out the crime to sell the gems for money laundering purposes.
French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to recover the artifacts and bring those responsible to justice. He added that the Louvre will tighten its security measures.