Louvre in Paris closes after spectacular jewelry burglary rocks world’s most-visited museum
The Louvre Museum in Paris, the world’s most visited cultural institution, was forced to close on Sunday following a daring jewelry heist that took place shortly after opening hours, according to multiple sources.
Between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m., thieves broke into the Paris landmark through windows. The assailants, whose number has not yet been disclosed, reportedly arrived on scooters and used a freight elevator to access the room they were targeting.
They made off with several valuable art objects before fleeing the scene, a source close to the investigation told AFP. The exact value of the stolen pieces remains under assessment, while France’s elite anti-gang unit (BRB) has taken charge of the inquiry.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who rushed to the scene alongside Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, confirmed on X that the robbery occurred but said no one was injured. “I am here with the museum and police teams. Investigations are underway,” she wrote. However, the robbery underscored that insufficient security across the Louvre.
The stolen jewels are of “inestimable value,” according to French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Meanwhile, authorities continue to assess the total worth of the haul. The jewels were part of the Napoleon collection.
The Louvre later announced it would remain closed for the day “for exceptional reasons.” The museum welcomed nearly 9 million visitors in 2024, around 80% of them from abroad.
The incident comes amid a string of recent museum thefts across France. In mid-September, native gold specimens worth about €600,000 disappeared from the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. In another case, the porcelain museum in Limoges suffered a €6.5 million burglary the same month.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive