New Delhi: The world’s largest art museum and home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Louvre Museum in Paris, became the scene of a daylight robbery Sunday. According to French media, three masked men broke in shortly after opening of the museum.
They reportedly used a goods lift to reach the Apollo Gallery, where part of France’s crown jewels are kept. The thieves allegedly carried small chainsaws and escaped on a motor scooter with nine items of jewellery.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, confirming the robbery, wrote on X: “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum. No injuries to report. I am on site alongside the museum teams and the police. Investigations are ongoing.”
Interior minister Laurent Nuñez said the heist was executed in under seven minutes.
The museum’s official handle announced it would remain closed for the day “due to exceptional reasons,” without specifying any details.
Un braquage a eu lieu ce matin à l’ouverture du @MuseeLouvre. Pas de blessés à déplorer. Je suis sur place aux cotés des équipes du musée et de la police. Constatations en cours.
— Rachida Dati ن (@datirachida) October 19, 2025
⚠️🇫🇷 Le musée du Louvre restera fermé aujourd'hui pour raisons exceptionnelles.
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⚠️🌍 The Musée du Louvre will remain closed today for exceptional reasons. pic.twitter.com/bFY1hRaW5k
— Musée du Louvre (@MuseeLouvre) October 19, 2025
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that an investigation is underway into what appears to be an “organized theft and criminal conspiracy”. Officials said some “jewellery was stolen” from the Louvre, and the probe was being supported by a special unit that tackles the illegal trafficking of cultural items.
The total value of the stolen items has not yet been confirmed.
The colossal Louvre Museum covers around 73,000 square metres of exhibition space. It dates back to the Napoleonic era, when, after the French Revolution in 1789, it opened its doors to the public. It was built in 1546 as a royal palace for King Francis I, who loved art and wanted a place to display his collection. Over the years, other French kings added to its grandeur.
Today, the Louvre has over 35,000 artworks. Around 30,000 visitors visit it every day.
Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a renovation of the Louvre. The museum’s director had warned that visiting the crowded building had become a “physical ordeal.” In a note leaked to the media in January, Laurence des Cars said the area under the museum’s glass pyramid entrance was uncomfortable; it was not well insulated, got too hot or cold, amplified noise, and was unpleasant for both visitors and staff.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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