PARIS — Thieves executed a daring heist at the Louvre Museum on Sunday morning, stealing valuable jewels in a matter of minutes. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., shortly after the museum opened to the public. According to France’s Interior Minister, the thieves used a basket lift to access the museum, forced open a window, and smashed display cases to take items of significant historical value.

The museum, known as the world’s most visited, was closed for the day as police conducted an investigation. Visitors were evacuated as officers sealed the gates and closed nearby streets along the Seine River. Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the robbery on social media, stating, “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum.” No injuries were reported among visitors or staff.

The thieves reportedly entered the Galerie d’Apollon, which houses part of the French Crown Jewels. They escaped on motorbikes after taking nine pieces from the collection, which includes items associated with Napoleon and Empress Eugénie. One of the stolen jewels, believed to be Empress Eugénie’s crown, was later found outside the museum, albeit damaged.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the incident as a “major robbery.” He noted that the heist took only seven minutes and involved the use of a disc cutter to break the glass. Nuñez suggested that the thieves had likely scouted the location beforehand, indicating a level of planning.

Security measures at the Louvre have been a topic of concern, especially given the museum's high-profile artworks, including the Mona Lisa, which is protected by bulletproof glass. Staffing issues have also been highlighted, as the museum has faced challenges related to overcrowding and understaffing. Earlier this year, Louvre officials requested government assistance to improve security and renovate aging exhibition halls.

The Louvre has a history of thefts, with notable incidents including the famous 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa by Vincenzo Peruggia, who hid inside the museum overnight. The painting was recovered two years later, further cementing its status as a global icon.

This recent theft follows a pattern of similar incidents at European museums. In 2019, thieves stole royal jewels from Dresden’s Green Vault, and in 2017, a solid-gold coin was taken from Berlin’s Bode Museum. The Louvre, which attracts up to 30,000 visitors daily, remains a significant cultural landmark, housing over 33,000 works of art from various historical periods.