The Louvre Heist: What Was Taken & Why Does It Matter?

The world is buzzing with news out of Paris: a daring heist at the Louvre. In just minutes, thieves stole a handful of Napoleonic-era jewels once worn by French royalty—right from under the museum’s nose in broad daylight. But what exactly was taken, and why does it matter? Here’s everything you need to know about the Louvre theft that has art lovers everywhere talking.

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We are The Tour Guy, and we’ve helped thousands of travelers explore the Louvre. This is the story of the October, 2025 Louvre heist and what it means for your travels.

The 2025 Louvre Heist

Here’s what we know so far about the heist that took place on October 19, 2025 at the Louvre in Paris.

What Happened At The Louvre

The heist took place on October 19, 2025, just after 9:30 AM, when four masked thieves struck the Apollo Gallery—the grand, gold-ceilinged room that displays France’s Crown Jewels.

Here’s what we know so far:

• The group arrived in a truck with a hydraulic lift, posing as construction workers.
  
• They reached a first-floor window, cut through the glass, and entered quietly.
  
• Within minutes, they broke two cases and stole eight priceless jewels.
  
• Their getaway? Two scooters weaving through morning Paris traffic.
  

No one was injured, and the museum was evacuated within minutes. Officials praised staff for their quick response, while France’s president condemned the theft as “an attack on our shared heritage.”

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What The Theives Stole From the Louvre

The thieves who struck the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery knew exactly where to look. Every glittering piece in that hall tells a story of France’s royal past, from Napoleonic courts and imperial fashion to the master craftsmen who defined luxury for an empire.

The stolen pieces include:

• A tiara from the parure of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
  
• A sapphire necklace and single earring from the same set
  
• An emerald necklace and earrings once owned by Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon’s second wife
  
• A reliquary brooch inlaid with sacred motifs
  
• The diadem and corsage bow brooch of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III
  

Eugénie’s crown, which was studded with diamonds and emeralds, was discovered damaged near the museum.

Together, these items form an irreplaceable chapter of French history, objects that survived empires, revolutions, and wars, only to vanish in a matter of minutes.

Why the Apollo Gallery Matters

If you’ve ever visited the Apollo Gallery, you know it’s one of the Louvre’s most spectacular rooms. Created for Louis XIV, the Sun King himself, it’s filled with gilded moldings, crystal chandeliers, and legendary diamonds like the Regent and the Sancy.

Standing there feels like stepping into a time capsule of French grandeur. It’s also the same gallery where, back in the 1800s, royal families displayed the nation’s crown jewels—many of which were sold or scattered after the Revolution.

The fact that the theft happened here adds another layer of drama. The gallery has state-of-the-art alarms and reinforced cases, but the thieves still managed to slip in and out undetected for nearly seven minutes.

How The Louvre Heist Went Down

Here’s how the French police believe the heist unfolded:

1. Four masked men arrived in a delivery truck disguised as movers.
   
2. They used a hydraulic lift to reach a balcony on the Seine-facing side.
   
3. Two men cut a window and entered the Apollo Gallery.
   
4. They smashed open two display cases, grabbing only select pieces.
   
5. Within minutes, they were gone—fleeing on scooters into Paris traffic.
   

No one was harmed, and the operation appeared highly organized, suggesting insider knowledge of the museum’s routines.

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The Investigation

France’s Central Office for the Fight Against Trafficking in Cultural Property (OCBC) is leading the investigation, reviewing hours of CCTV footage and interviewing Louvre staff. Early theories suggest the thieves were professionals connected to an international network specializing in high-value art and gems.

The problem? These pieces are too famous to sell. Experts believe the only way to profit would be to dismantle or melt them down—a heartbreaking thought for anyone who values craftsmanship and history.

The Louvre’s Long History of Heists

This isn’t the first time the Louvre has found itself in the headlines for a theft.

• 1911 – The Mona Lisa Heist: A handyman named Vincenzo Peruggia hid inside the museum overnight and walked out the next morning with La Joconde tucked under his arm. It took two years to get her back—and that theft arguably made her the most famous painting in the world.
  
• 1976 – The Coronation Sword of Charles X: Stolen from the museum and still missing today.
  
• 1983 – 16th-Century Italian Armor: Disappeared mysteriously, then reappeared at an auction almost 30 years later.
  
• 1998 – “Le Chemin de Sèvres” by Camille Corot: Taken off the wall and never recovered.
  

Art thefts aren’t rare in France, but they’ve become more sophisticated. In the last few years, robbers have targeted everything from porcelain to modern art—proof that the allure of priceless objects hasn’t faded one bit.

Planning to visit the Louvre Soon?

The Louvre is closed today, Monday October 20, 2025. If you have tickets, you will recieve an automatic refund. If you plan to visit later this week or later in the year, all signs point to the museum being open as per usual. Head the offical museum website for the latest information.

👉 Not ready to book? Check out our full breakdown of the Best Louvre Tours to Take and Why.