Paris was left reeling on Sunday morning after a gang of thieves pulled off a daring heist at The Louvre, stealing several priceless items of jewelry in a quick and expertly executed robbery. The incident has shocked both the city and the world, with comparisons drawn to the popular Netflix drama Lupin, which tells the story of a notorious French thief, Arsène Lupin.
What Happened at The Louvre?
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 19, 2025, a group of masked thieves entered the Louvre’s opulent Galerie d’Apollon, a grand hall that houses some of France’s most historical and invaluable artifacts, including pieces of the French crown jewels. In just seven minutes, the thieves are reported to have stolen nine jewels, some of which were once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte’s family and the Empress Marie Louise. The targeted collection was of immense cultural and historical significance, making the theft even more startling.
The Galerie d’Apollon, known for its stunning architecture and a ceiling painted by Charles Le Brun under the reign of King Louis XIV, is a significant part of the Louvre. The thieves escaped the museum with the jewels on scooters, prompting a quick and extensive response from authorities.
How Did They Steal the Jewels?
The thieves’ method of entry was as audacious as the robbery itself. According to France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, the criminals used a mechanized lift, similar to a cherry picker, to gain access through a first-floor window. Once inside, they used an angle grinder – a tool resembling a small chainsaw – to break through a window and open two display cases.
Nunez stated that the thieves appeared to be a well-organized team who had been scouting the museum in advance. During the heist, the thieves left behind one item, believed to be the crown of Empress Eugenie, though authorities have yet to officially confirm this. The criminals reportedly also abandoned several tools near the scene, including two angle grinders, a blowtorch, gasoline, gloves, a walkie-talkie, a blanket, a crown, and a yellow vest, which they may have used to pose as museum workers.
Police Reaction and Investigation
French police immediately launched an investigation and initiated a manhunt for the thieves. Upon learning of the theft, police sealed off access to the museum and surrounding areas, including a major road along the riverbank. The use of an extendable ladder by the thieves was also captured in photos from the scene, showing how they managed to scale the building to access the first-floor window.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez condemned the theft, calling it an attack on France’s heritage. He assured the public that the investigation was in full swing and that every effort was being made to apprehend the perpetrators. French authorities have been under pressure to ensure the safety and security of the museum and its priceless collections.
A Hollywood-Style Robbery
The audacity and precision of the heist have drawn comparisons to Lupin, a French Netflix series about a fictional thief, Arsène Lupin, who often targets the wealthy and famous. Paris Centre Mayor Ariel Weil expressed his shock, saying, “It’s clear we’re in Arsène Lupin. It’s been a movie script up until now. It’s hard to imagine that it’s seemingly so easy to burglarize the Louvre.”
While the museum has seen rare instances of theft in the past, the scale and precision of Sunday’s robbery are unprecedented. As the investigation continues, the theft has left many questioning the security measures in place at one of the most famous museums in the world.
The Last Robbery at The Louvre
This latest heist has brought the issue of security at The Louvre back into the spotlight. The most infamous theft in the museum’s history occurred in 1911 when a museum employee stole Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The painting was returned to the museum two years later after the thief was apprehended. More recently, in 1998, a 19th-century painting by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot was stolen, though it was sliced from its frame without alerting staff or security.
Paris’ mayor has acknowledged that this latest incident will raise concerns about the security of the museum, given its global prominence and the sheer value of its collections. The authorities are facing increasing pressure to ensure that such a high-profile theft does not happen again.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
The robbery has stunned both Parisians and tourists alike, with the public expressing disbelief over how the thieves managed to breach one of the world’s most secure and iconic museums. Social media has been abuzz with discussions, comparisons to Lupin, and expressions of disbelief at the daring nature of the heist.
As of now, French police have intensified their search for the perpetrators and are carefully piecing together evidence found at the scene. The authorities are determined to bring the criminals to justice and recover the stolen items.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
