PARIS, July 3 – Thieves targeted the Louvre museum’s jewelry collections in a brazen overnight heist, making off with an estimated €60 million ($65 million) worth of pieces, French authorities said Wednesday. The stolen items included approximately 60 jewels and other valuables, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.The theft, discovered early Wednesday morning, underscores ongoing security vulnerabilities at world-renowned museums and raises concerns about the escalating sophistication of art crime. The Louvre, one of the most visited museums globally, attracting nearly 9 million visitors in 2022, is now reviewing its security protocols. The inquiry is ongoing, with police examining how the thieves bypassed security systems and what the next steps are to recover the stolen artifacts and prevent future incidents.Investigators believe the thieves specifically sought out pieces from the museum’s extensive jewelry collection, focusing on items displayed in less-protected areas. While the exact list of stolen items is still being compiled, authorities confirmed the loss includes diamond necklaces, earrings, and tiaras. No paintings or other major artworks were taken.
“An inventory is underway to precisely identify the missing pieces,” a statement from the Paris prosecutor’s office read.”The judicial police are in charge of the investigation.”
The Louvre was closed to the public Wednesday morning as police conducted their investigation. It is expected to reopen thursday. This incident follows a series of smaller thefts and attempted robberies at museums across Europe, prompting calls for increased security measures and international cooperation to combat art crime.
