Thieves Steal Millions in Jewel Heist from France's Iconic Louvre Museum

Chaos erupted at France's Louvre museum on Sunday when thieves stole millions of pounds worth of jewels, sparking a major investigation. The thieves, who entered the museum from the outside using a basket lift, made off with priceless jewels, including nine pieces from the Napoleon and Empress jewelry collection, in a daring seven-minute operation. The Louvre, one of the world's most visited museums, closed for the day as police scoured the scene, with the interior minister calling the heist a "major robbery."

Key Takeaways:

• The thieves entered the Louvre from the outside using a basket lift, making it a well-planned and executed operation.
• The stolen jewels are of "inestimable value" and include nine pieces from the Napoleon and Empress jewelry collection.
• The operation lasted seven minutes, with the thieves making off with the loot in just a few minutes.
• The Louvre, which can draw up to 30,000 visitors a day, closed for the day as police launched an investigation.
• The theft is not the first at the Louvre, with the museum having a long history of thefts and attempted robberies.
• The stolen Empire Crown was later found broken outside the museum, but the majority of the stolen jewels remain missing.
• The Louvre's collection includes over 33,000 works, including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
• The Galerie d'Apollon, where the theft took place, displays a selection of the French crown jewels.

Statistics:

• The estimated value of the stolen jewels is in the millions of pounds.
• The operation lasted 7 minutes.
• The Louvre can draw up to 30,000 visitors a day.
• The museum's collection includes over 33,000 works.
• The Galerie d'Apollon, where the theft took place, displays a selection of the French crown jewels.

Sources:

• Le Parisien (French daily newspaper)
• France Inter radio (French public radio station)
• Louvre museum website (French crown jewels)
• AP PHOTO (via Image)