A robbery took place in Paris at the Louvre: criminals stole Napoleon’s jewels from the "Apollo" gallery

A robbery took place in Paris at the Louvre: criminals stole Napoleon’s jewels from the "Apollo" gallery

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati reported the robbery of one of the world’s most famous museums — the Louvre in Paris. The incident occurred on Sunday morning, October 19, during the museum’s opening.

«There are no reports of injuries. I am on site with museum staff and the police. The investigation is ongoing», – wrote the French minister on X.

The Louvre Museum published a statement on its official X page, stating that «it will remain closed today for exceptional reasons».

No official information about the theft of any valuables has been released, although the publication Le Parisien reports that the perpetrators managed to escape with jewelry.

According to preliminary findings of the investigation, the criminals, fully dressed in hoods, gained access to the building on the banks of the Seine, where construction work was underway. They used a freight elevator to reach the target room in the «Apollo» gallery directly.

«Breaking the windows, two men entered the building while a third remained outside. The thieves stole nine items from the collection of Napoleon and the Empress’s jewelry: a necklace, a brooch, a tiara, and more. These were displayed in showcases dedicated to Napoleon and French sovereigns», the publication reports.