Four burglars stole eight priceless jewels worth 88 million euros from the Louvre Museum on October 19, 2025. The crown of Empress Eugénie was found damaged, as the investigation involves dozens of officers. The theft draws political criticism against Culture Minister Rachida Dati.
On Sunday, October 19, 2025, in the morning, a huge metallic noise echoed in the Louvre's Galerie d'Apollon. An experienced anonymous guard present there described on France Inter: «It was a very serene Sunday», when «all of a sudden, we heard a huge noise (...) totally unusual, a dull, somewhat metallic sound.» She spotted two terrified visitors and a burglar with what she perceived as a chainsaw, then yelled to colleagues to «clear out». Visitors were evacuated quickly.
The four burglars used a lift installed on the public road to enter the museum, breaking a door-window and showcases with a grinder in minutes. They took eight national treasures, including the diadem of Empress Eugénie and the parure of Queen Marie-Amélie. A private security agent saw their scooter escape, noting a «very strong smell of gasoline» and a blowtorch, suggesting an arson attempt on the vehicle. The crown of Empress Eugénie, adorned with 1354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, was found damaged outside.
Louvre Director Laurence des Cars acknowledged flaws in external surveillance before senators but stated the internal gallery system had «perfectly functioned». Her resignation was refused by Minister Rachida Dati. The investigation, led by about sixty officers from BRB and OCBC, has collected over 150 DNA and fingerprint traces, per Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, who is «optimistic» about quick arrests via surveillance footage covering Paris and surrounding departments.
The theft prompted fake Vinted ads, like a «Crown with all its gold» for 100 euros, removed by moderators. An identity theft incident occurred in Bobigny, where a man posed as a police investigator at Tordjman company to view cameras. Politically, five months before Paris municipal elections, LR candidate Rachida Dati faces left-wing criticism: David Belliard (Ecologists) highlights ignored security alerts, and Ian Brossat (PCF) accuses her of neglecting her ministry for campaigning.
