L to R: Francis Steinbock, Matthias Grolier, Laurence des Cars and French Senator Laurent Lafon are seen before the start of a hearing by the Culture, Education, Communication and Sport Commission at the French Senate in Paris, France, Oct 22, 2025. | Source: China Daily/Agencies
A gang of thieves breached the Louvre Museum in broad daylight on 19 October and stole eight items belonging to the French Crown Jewels. Among the lost items are pieces owned by Emperor Napoleon, his nephew Napoleon III and their wives, the empresses Marie-Louise and Eugénie. Experts estimate the value of the stolen jewellery to be around $156 million.
According to French media sources, two suspects were recently arrested and taken into police custody on suspicion of organised theft and criminal conspiracy.
Louvre director Laurence des Cars reportedly offered her resignation immediately after the offer; however, that was refused by Culture Minister Rachida Dati. According to des Cars, the museum’s CCTV system failed to detect the burgulars in time to prevent the heist.
"Despite our efforts, despite our hard work every day, we were defeated," des Cars told a Senate committee.
"We did not detect the thieves' arrival early enough. The warnings I had been sounding came horribly true last Sunday.”
She said the exterior security cameras did not offer full coverage of the museum's façade. The window through which the thieves broke in was reportedly not monitored by CCTV. She said she would also ask the government to establish a police station inside the museum.
According to media reports, at least four French museums have been robbed in the past two months.
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