Unprecedented robbery noted in his Museum louvre, in the heart of Pariswhich was closed to the public on Sunday morning. According to the country’s interior minister, Laurent Núñez, ‘priceless’ jewels made wings in 7 minutes…

Based on the first data of the investigation, the incident occurred between 9:30 and 9:40 (10:30 – 10:40 Greek time). “An investigation has been launched and a detailed list of the stolen items is being drawn up. Apart from their commercial value, these objects have an inestimable value in terms of heritage and history,” the French Interior Ministry said in a statement.

As Nunez told French media, the robbers, “3 or 4” in number, acted within “7 minutes”.

Movie heist

According to a report by Parisien, this is an impressive robbery, with a global impact. The Paris Prosecutor’s Office opened a preliminary investigation and assigned the case to the Crime Suppression Unit (BRB).

According to the first elements of the investigation, the attackers, who had their faces completely covered with hoods, arrived at the Louvre on two Tmax scooters. They approached the building from the Seine side and entered from where work was being done. They used the freight elevator to reach the “Hall of Apollo” where Napoleon’s jewelry collection is kept. It is an elaborate room, where what remains of the crown jewels of France are kept.

After breaking the windows with the help of small chainsaws, two men entered the interior, while a third reportedly remained on the ground floor. In total the robbers reportedly grabbed nine jewels from the collection of Napoleon and the Empress: a necklace, a brooch, a tiara and more.

However, the famous “Rezan”, the largest diamond in the collection, weighing more than 140 carats, was not stolen. Damage is under assessment, based on photos of the missing pieces.

The perpetrators allegedly escaped with the two scooters and headed to the A6 highway. According to information, the escape was recorded on security cameras.

The French Minister of Culture Rashida Dati confirmed press reports that one of the stolen jewels located close to the museum: “A jewel was found near the Louvre and an evaluation process has begun” he pointed out speaking to the TV network TF1, while adding that “organized crime is targeting works of art today” and that “museums have become a target”.

According to Parisien information, the jewel found outside the building is the priceless crown of empress Eugeniawhich is damaged. One of the main questions at the moment, notes the French media, is whether the attackers have already melted down the jewels to sell gold, as probably happened a month ago with the gold bars stolen from the Museum of Natural History.

French crown jewels

Earlier, French Culture Minister Rashida Dutti told X that “there are no reports of injuries”. “I am at the site together with the museum staff and the police. Investigations are ongoing,” he noted.

In a post, the Louvre Museum announced to the public that it will remain closed today due to a “special circumstance”, without mentioning anything about the robbery, while there is no other official announcement.

Louvre

The history of the Hall of Apollo

Its construction began in 1661 by Louis XIV of France. The space is designed to represent the rotation of the sun, while its name is inspired by the god Apollo, who was the god of the sun.

The construction of the space lasted over 200 years and today it houses 105 works of art by dozens of French artists, including Charles Le Brun, the first painter of Louis XIV, and Eugène Delacroix.

In 1532 King Francis I began collecting the French crown jewels. The collection grew with each of his successors and reached its peak under Louis IE when he added the famous 426 carat “Rezan” diamond before it was sent to England for cutting. The cut diamond weighs 140.64 carats and is considered one of the most spectacular diamonds in the world, thanks to its flawless brilliance and perfect cut.

In fact, Napoleon also decorated his sword with this.

In 1887, the French Third Republic decided to sell the entire collection of French jewels, except for the “Rezan” diamond.

Today, 23 pieces of French jewelry are in the Louvre’s collection and are displayed in three showcases.

The Louvre is the largest museum in the world with almost 73,000 square meters of exhibition space.

It was originally built in 1546 as a palace for the French royal family. King Francis I, its first occupant, was an art lover and intended to exhibit his collection at the Louvre.

Subsequent kings greatly expanded the crown’s art collection, with Louis XIV even acquiring the art collection of the English King Charles I, following his execution in the English Civil War.

The collection remained mostly private until the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789. In 1793 the Louvre opened as a public art gallery.

Today, the Louvre exhibits more than 35,000 works of art – including Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa – and attracts around 30,000 visitors every day.