Sunday 19 / October / 2025
A break-in at the Louvre in the French capital Paris on Sunday saw criminals make off with "priceless" jewelry, according to France's culture minister.
Rachida Dati said the incident occurred as the museum, one of the world's most famous, opened its doors Sunday morning.
"A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum," she wrote on X. The museum confirmed it would be closed for the day "for exceptional reasons."
Speaking to French media, Dati said the stolen jewelry was "priceless."
Burglars entered through a window
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the incident as a "major robbery."
He said the burglars, armed with small chainsaws, used a basket lift to reach the targeted room. They fled on motorbikes with the stolen jewelry.
"The investigation has begun, and a detailed list of the stolen items is being compiled. Beyond their market value, these items have inestimable heritage and historical value," the French Interior Ministry said.
The Louvre's most notorious theft occurred in 1911, when the Mona Lisa was stolen by a former employee. Recovered two years later in Florence, the heist helped turn Leonardo da Vinci's portrait into the world's best-known artwork.
Last year, the Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors.
