The whole lot we all know concerning the Louvre jewelry heist

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Rachel Hagan

'A humiliation': BBC experiences on the scene of Louvre theft

The Louvre Museum in Paris continues to be closed on Monday whereas police examine a brazen heist which focused France's priceless crown jewels.

Thieves wielding energy instruments broke into the world's most visited museum in broad daylight, earlier than escaping on scooters with eight extraordinarily invaluable gadgets of jewelry.

Here's what we all know concerning the crime which has surprised France.

How did the theft unfold?

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/2642/live/1bd40fe0-ad8a-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/2642/live/1bd40fe0-ad8a-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2642/live/1bd40fe0-ad8a-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/2642/live/1bd40fe0-ad8a-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/2642/live/1bd40fe0-ad8a-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/2642/live/1bd40fe0-ad8a-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/2642/live/1bd40fe0-ad8a-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2642/live/1bd40fe0-ad8a-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Alamy Close up photo of ornate pearl and diamond tiara worn by Empress Eugenie as displayed at the Louvre Museum, Paris" class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Alamy Empress Eugenie's tiara on the Louvre, Paris

The gang reportedly arrived at 09:30 native time, shortly after the museum opened to guests.

4 suspects arrived with a vehicle-mounted mechanical raise to realize entry to the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) by way of a balcony near the River Seine.

Footage from the scene confirmed the ladder main as much as a first-floor window.

Two of the thieves obtained inside by slicing via the window with energy instruments.

They then threatened the guards, who evacuated the premises, and lower via the glass of two show instances containing jewels.

A preliminary report has revealed that one in three rooms within the space of the museum raided had no CCTV cameras, in accordance with French media.

French police say the thieves have been inside for 4 minutes and made their escape on two scooters ready outdoors at 09:38.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/c167/live/a7fd4ca0-acec-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/c167/live/a7fd4ca0-acec-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c167/live/a7fd4ca0-acec-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/c167/live/a7fd4ca0-acec-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c167/live/a7fd4ca0-acec-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/c167/live/a7fd4ca0-acec-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/c167/live/a7fd4ca0-acec-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c167/live/a7fd4ca0-acec-11f0-b2a1-6f537f66f9aa.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images Image shows an overall view of the Apollon Wing gallery in the Louvre which is a highly ornate, gold-gilded room, with an embellished vaulted ceiling, and tapestries, which house the French Crown Jewels." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Getty Photos The robbers reached a first-floor window and lower via glass panes to realize entry to the museum's gilded Galerie d'Apollon

This can be a "very painful" episode for France, stated Natalie Goulet, a member of the French Senate's finance committee.

"We're all dissatisfied and indignant," she stated, and it's "obscure the way it occurred so simply."

Goulet informed the BBC the gallery's localised alarm was not too long ago damaged, and "we now have to attend for the investigation to be able to know if the alarm was disactivated".

France's tradition ministry stated the museum's wider alarms did sound and employees adopted protocol by contacting safety forces and defending guests.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/8170/live/93498160-aced-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/8170/live/93498160-aced-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8170/live/93498160-aced-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/8170/live/93498160-aced-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/8170/live/93498160-aced-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/8170/live/93498160-aced-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/8170/live/93498160-aced-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8170/live/93498160-aced-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images French police officers stand next to a furniture elevator used by robbers to enter the Louvre Museum" class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Getty Photos The thieves approached the constructing from the River Seine bankside

The gang had tried to set fireplace to their automobile outdoors however have been prevented by the intervention of a museum staff-member, the tradition ministry added.

Tradition Minister Rachida Dati informed French information outlet TF1 that footage of the theft confirmed the masked robbers coming into "calmly" and smashing show instances containing the jewels. Nobody was injured within the incident.

She described the thieves as seemingly being "skilled" with a well-prepared plan to flee on two scooters.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/066d/live/a1051800-ad06-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/066d/live/a1051800-ad06-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/066d/live/a1051800-ad06-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/066d/live/a1051800-ad06-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/066d/live/a1051800-ad06-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/066d/live/a1051800-ad06-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/066d/live/a1051800-ad06-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/066d/live/a1051800-ad06-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="An illustration showing the position of the Gallery of Apollo - overlooking the River Seine - in relation to the rest of the Louvre around it." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Round 60 investigators are engaged on the case and prosecutors stated their principle is that the robbers have been beneath orders for a prison organisation.

The search is on for 4 suspects and investigators are learning CCTV footage from the escape route.

One witness described scenes of "complete panic" because the museum was evacuated. Later photographs confirmed entrances closed off with steel gates.

Police and employees ushered confused crowds away from the Louvre

What jewels have been stolen?

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/6179/live/e328a830-ad8a-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/6179/live/e328a830-ad8a-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6179/live/e328a830-ad8a-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/6179/live/e328a830-ad8a-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/6179/live/e328a830-ad8a-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/6179/live/e328a830-ad8a-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/6179/live/e328a830-ad8a-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6179/live/e328a830-ad8a-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="AFP via Getty Images A composite with 3 images of jewels stolen from the Louvre museum in Paris. A sapphire tiara, and emerals necklace and an ornate heavy crown with emeralds, gold and diamonds" class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> AFP by way of Getty Photos Two of the gadgets stolen - together with Empress Eugenie's Crown (prime proper) - have been later discovered close to the museum

Based on the authorities, eight gadgets have been taken, together with diadems (a jewelled headband), necklaces, ear-rings and brooches. All are from the nineteenth century, and as soon as belonged to French royalty or imperial rulers.

France's ministry of tradition stated the stolen gadgets have been:

A tiara and brooch belonging to Empress Eugénie, spouse of Napoleon IIIAn emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings from Empress Marie LouiseA tiara, necklace and single earring from the sapphire set that belonged to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense A brooch often known as the "reliquary brooch" Between them, these items are adorned with hundreds of diamonds and different valuable gem stones.

Empress Eugénie's crown was discovered broken on the escape route, investigators stated, apparently having been dropped in the course of the escape.

Inside Minister Laurent Nuñez described the stolen jewels "priceless" and "of immeasurable heritage worth".

"There's a race occurring proper now," Chris Marinello, the chief government of Artwork Restoration Worldwide, stated.

Crowns and diadems can simply be damaged aside and offered in small elements.

The thieves "will not be going to maintain them intact, they're going to break them up, soften down the dear steel, recut the dear stones and conceal proof of their crime," Marinello stated.

It could be tough to promote these jewels intact, he stated.

Earlier this 12 months, officers on the Louvre requested assist from the French authorities to revive and renovate the museum's ageing exhibition halls and higher shield its artworks.

On the time, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged the Louvre can be redesigned as a part of the New Renaissance venture - anticipated to price between €700 million and €800 million (£608m - £695m; $816m - $933m). The venture consists of bolstered safety.

When will the Louvre reopen?

The Louvre stays closed on Monday whereas investigations into the theft proceed.

In a message on its web site, the museum stated guests who had already booked tickets can be mechanically refunded.

Police and safety personnel might be seen across the website's well-known glass pyramid entrance on Monday. Steel obstacles have additionally been put up.

No info has been given about when the museum might reopen to the general public.

The Louvre is at all times closed on Tuesdays, so the earliest it might reopen this week can be Wednesday.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/18f0/live/97234270-ad98-11f0-93d0-d5294e42252c.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/18f0/live/97234270-ad98-11f0-93d0-d5294e42252c.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/18f0/live/97234270-ad98-11f0-93d0-d5294e42252c.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/18f0/live/97234270-ad98-11f0-93d0-d5294e42252c.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/18f0/live/97234270-ad98-11f0-93d0-d5294e42252c.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/18f0/live/97234270-ad98-11f0-93d0-d5294e42252c.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/18f0/live/97234270-ad98-11f0-93d0-d5294e42252c.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/18f0/live/97234270-ad98-11f0-93d0-d5294e42252c.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters A red sign placed outside the Louvre museum on Monday morning, reading in both French and English: The Louvre Museum will be closed today for exceptional reasons. All reservations for today's date will be reimbursed. Thank you for your understanding." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Reuters An indication outdoors the Louvre on Monday morning

What are folks saying concerning the theft?

The theft has precipitated a political outcry in France, with Macron calling the raid "an assault on our historical past", Nationwide Rally chief Jordan Bardella stated it was a "insupportable humiliation" and Marine Le Pen of Entrance Nationale referred to as it a "wound to the French soul".

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/102f/live/34fac410-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/102f/live/34fac410-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/102f/live/34fac410-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/102f/live/34fac410-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/102f/live/34fac410-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/102f/live/34fac410-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/102f/live/34fac410-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/102f/live/34fac410-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Louvre Museum A silver necklace with green jewels stolen during the Louvre heist" class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Louvre Museum <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/b205/live/5fb1fa20-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/b205/live/5fb1fa20-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b205/live/5fb1fa20-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/b205/live/5fb1fa20-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/b205/live/5fb1fa20-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/b205/live/5fb1fa20-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/b205/live/5fb1fa20-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b205/live/5fb1fa20-ad25-11f0-ba75-093eca1ac29b.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Louvre Museum A gold tiara encrusted with diamonds and pearls stolen from the Louvre" class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Louvre Museum The Marie-Louise necklace and a pair of earrings have been among the many eight gadgets stolen

A tiara worn by the Empress Eugenie, spouse of Napoleon III, was taken

Have related thefts occurred earlier than?

In 1911, an Italian museum worker was capable of make off with the Mona Lisa beneath his coat after lifting the portray - which was then little-known to the general public - straight off the wall of a quiet gallery.

It was recovered after two years and the perpetrator later stated he was motivated by the assumption the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece belonged in Italy.

Fewer likelihood is taken with the Mona Lisa as of late: the portray, maybe probably the most famend within the museum's assortment, hangs in a high-security glass compartment.

In 1998, the Le Chemin de Sevres - a nineteenth century portray by Camille Corot - was stolen and has by no means been discovered. The incident prompted an enormous overhaul of museum safety.

There was a current spate of thefts focusing on French museums.

Final month, thieves broke into the Adrien Dubouche Museum in Limoges and stole porcelain works apparently price €9.5m ($11m / £8.25m).

In November 2024, seven gadgets of "nice historic and heritage worth" have been stolen from the Cognacq-Jay Museum within the capital. 5 have been recovered a number of days in the past.

The identical month, armed robbers raided the Hieron Museum in Burgundy, firing photographs earlier than escaping with thousands and thousands of kilos price of twentieth century artworks.