French public prosecutor Laure Beccuau told RTL radio that, according to the museum’s curator, the total value of the stolen pieces was estimated at €88 million. “The sum is extraordinary,” she said, “but the greater loss is to France’s historical heritage.” Beccuau added that the thieves might not profit from the full amount if the jewels are melted down, noting that such actions would destroy their cultural worth.

Targeting the Crown Jewels

The heist took place in the Apollo Gallery, one of the Louvre’s most prestigious halls, where France’s royal jewels are displayed. Among the stolen items were pieces once owned by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, and jewels gifted by earlier Napoleons to their spouses. Museum officials described the robbery as a blow not only to national pride but to European art history itself.

A Seven-Minute Operation

According to the investigation, four thieves arrived at the museum early on the morning of 19 October, using a truck’s freight elevator to gain access to the building. They then broke a window to reach the Apollo Gallery. In just seven minutes, the thieves seized nine pieces before fleeing the scene on motorcycles. In their haste, they dropped Empress Eugénie’s crown, which was later found damaged outside the museum.

Police Investigation Underway

Authorities confirmed that four individuals are connected to the heist, and forensic teams are analysing fingerprints collected from the scene. Despite an intensive manhunt, no arrests have been made more than two days after the robbery. Experts warn that the jewels may already have been dismantled or smuggled abroad.

France Mourns Cultural Loss

Prosecutor Beccuau called the theft “a loss beyond monetary measure,” stressing that the jewels represented “a vital part of France’s living history.” The Louvre has announced a full security review to prevent similar incidents, as the nation grapples with the disappearance of treasures that symbolised centuries of heritage and craftsmanship.