Overview

• Thieves used a truck-mounted basket lift and an angle/disc cutter to enter the Galerie d’Apollon around 9:30 a.m., smashed cases and fled on motorcycles in roughly 4–7 minutes.
• Authorities say eight items from France’s crown-jewels collection were taken, including tiaras, necklaces, earrings and brooches tied to Empresses Marie-Louise and Eugénie and Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense.
• Police recovered Empress Eugénie’s diamond-and-emerald crown near the museum in damaged condition, while a full forensic sweep and CCTV review are ongoing.
• Investigators believe three to four suspects were involved and are tracing reported escape routes after the Louvre closed temporarily to preserve evidence.
• Ministers reported no injuries and pledged swift action as scrutiny grows over museum security, staffing strains and renovation-related vulnerabilities.