Four hooded thieves broke into the Louvre Museum on Sunday using a forklift, stealing nine French crown jewels in just seven minutes from the Apollo Gallery. The pieces belong to the collection of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenia de Montijo, with inestimable patrimonial value. One of the stolen jewels was recovered broken near the museum.
In the morning of Sunday, October 19, 2025, four thieves used a forklift to enter the Louvre Museum in Paris and stole a haul of jewels displayed in the Apollo Gallery. The assault lasted just seven minutes and targeted nine of the 23 pieces from the collection of jewels belonging to Napoleon III and Empress Eugenia de Montijo.
The museum detailed the stolen items in a statement: "Diadem of the parure of Queen Maria Amalia and Queen Hortense; Sapphire necklace of the parure of Queen Maria Amalia and Queen Hortense; Sapphire pendant of the parure of Queen Maria Amalia and Queen Hortense; Emerald necklace of Maria Luisa's parure; Pair of emerald earrings of Maria Luisa's parure; Brooch known as relic brooch; Diadem of Empress Eugenia; Grand corsage bow of Empress Eugenia (brooch)".
Alarms on the exterior window and affected display cases activated immediately. The five agents present in the room and adjacent areas intervened per protocol: they contacted law enforcement and prioritized people's safety. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the jewels as "of inestimable patrimonial and historical value".
Among the stolen pieces, the diadem of Empress Eugenia was found broken near the museum. This crown, created by Alexandre-Gabriel Lemonnier, features 1,353 diamonds and 56 emeralds, designed to impress at the 1855 Paris Universal Exposition. Eugenia de Montijo, born in Granada, was France's last empress.
The Apollo Gallery, a Baroque example linked to Louis XIV's power, was recently renovated with new cases for the Crown Diamonds. Iconic pieces like the Regent (140.64 carats), the Sancy (55.23 carats), and the Hortensia (21.32 carats) remain safe.