The footage captures two thieves in the Apollo Gallery on 19 October last year, stealing items from a glass display case. One wore a yellow hi-vis vest and the other a motorcycle helmet.
The two-minute clip shows four guards watching as the thieves smash the glass and conceal the jewellery in pockets and bags. Louvre management told Le Monde that staff were instructed to prioritise evacuating visitors rather than confronting thieves.
The heist occurred 250 metres from the Mona Lisa, one of the Louvre’s most iconic exhibits. Of the nine historical jewels targeted, eight were stolen.
The collection includes items once owned by Emperor Napoleon, his nephew Napoleon III, and Empresses Marie-Louise and Eugénie. The estimated value of the stolen items is around $USD102 million ($AUD156 million).
The stolen jewellery remains unrecovered despite several arrests. Security failures have put pressure on Louvre director Laurence des Cars, who issued a public apology for the incident.
Watch Video
More reading
Pink Panthers members reportedly responsible for Greek heist
Europe rocked by another multi-million dollar heist
Four more arrested in connection with the Louvre jewellery heist
Search continues for France’s stolen Crown Jewels
Officials raised security problems before jewellery theft at the Louvre
Priceless jewellery stolen in stunning raid at the Louvre
 | 2026 JEWELLERS' SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY
Find Anything & Everything Click for the Full Index to discover fresh products, trends, and suppliers.
If it’s not listed here, it’s not worth knowing about! The annual Suppliers Directory is the #1 directory for retailers looking for new products and new suppliers. If you don’t know, we do!
|