On Sunday, October 19, Paris was struck by a crime no one saw coming, and in broad daylight.
The Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, drawing nearly 8 million people a year, was abruptly shut down after thieves stormed in and stole jewels of “inestimable” value. The seven-minute operation ended with a motorbike getaway through the streets of Paris. The assailants remain at large.
But how (and why) was such a daring heist pulled off in one of the most secure museums on Earth?
Newsweek unpacks what we know so far about the brazen crime.
Seven Minutes
The Louvre is no stranger to theft. In 1911, it was the stage for one of history’s most infamous art heists, when Vincenzo Peruggia, a former employee, hid overnight disguised in a white smock. At dawn, he simply lifted the Mona Lisa from its case, tucked it under his clothing, and walked out the door.
Fast forward to 2025. With CCTV cameras, hundreds of guards, and state-of-the-art alarms, a heist of this scale should have been impossible. Yet these thieves didn’t need to hide overnight or slip away in shadows, they struck in broad daylight and were gone in just seven minutes.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., four men disguised as workers parked a truck with a mounted ladder outside the museum. One scaled the ladder to the Apollo Gallery, forcing entry with angle grinders. Once inside, the thieves threatened staff with the same tools before smashing into two high-security display cases.
Within minutes, they seized what French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez called “priceless” jewels, then roared off on motorbikes, weaving through Paris traffic. The Louvre, which welcomes roughly 25,000–30,000 visitors daily, was left stunned.
The museum was immediately closed, and a manhunt for the four perpetrators is ongoing. The incident has ignited scrutiny of Louvre security and raised alarms about a broader pattern as at least four other French museums have been robbed in the past two months.
The Loot
Here’s what was taken:
- Pearl and Diamond Tiara: Commissioned in 1853 by Napoleon III for Empress Eugénie, featuring more than 200 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds.
- Diamond Bow Brooch: Once part of a jewel-encrusted belt, this brooch became one of Eugénie’s signature pieces. The Louvre acquired it for $10.7 million.
- Sapphire Tiara, Necklace, and Earrings: A royal set worn by queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense, rumored to trace back to Marie Antoinette.
- Emerald Necklace and Earrings: A wedding gift from Napoleon Bonaparte to his second wife, Marie-Louise of Austria, in 1810.
- Diamond-Encrusted Brooch: Another personal treasure of Eugénie, glittering with gold and diamonds.
In a scene of chaotic consolation, the thieves dropped the Crown of Empress Eugénie, a piece with over 1,300 diamonds and 56 emeralds, later recovered damaged in the street.
Investigators noted what was not taken: the Crown of Louis XV, the Regent Diamond, and the Hortensia Diamond (together with 160 carats) remained untouched despite being within reach.
The Motive?
Why risk stealing such recognizable treasures in front of the world?
Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed investigators are probing whether the heist was commissioned by a private collector. Nuñez expressed confidence that authorities would “very quickly find the perpetrators and, above all, recover the stolen goods.”
But experts warn recovery is far from guaranteed. Unlike stolen paintings, which often resurface in long negotiations, jewelry carries intrinsic value. These pieces could be dismantled or melted down for quick cash, making them nearly impossible to trace once they enter the illicit market.
The items were also uninsured. In a statement, France’s culture ministry said the state would not be reimbursed for the loss of items that have an “inestimable heritage and historical value.”
For now, the Louvre remains closed. Officials suggest the thieves were highly experienced and possibly “foreign” nationals. President Emmanuel Macron vowed on social media that “everything is being done” to catch those responsible and recover the treasures.
It’s a race against time. The jewels may already be traveling through the black market.
