Thieves posing as contractors steal jewels from Louvre

Thieves wearing high-visibility vests carried out an audacious robbery at the Louvre on Sunday, stealing Napoleon’s crown jewels by posing as workers during the museum’s massive renovation project, raising questions about security protocols at the world’s most visited cultural institution.

Four individuals disguised as construction workers executed a brazen heist at the Louvre in Paris on Sunday morning, stealing priceless Napoleon-era jewels from the world’s most visited museum in under seven minutes.

The thieves exploited the museum’s ongoing €800 million renovation, driving a ladder truck to the Seine-side façade where construction work is underway. Wearing high-visibility vests and setting up traffic cones to blend in, they accessed the second-floor Apollo Gallery and smashed through a window using angle grinders.

At least eight pieces of jewelry belonging to Emperor Napoleon and his family were stolen, including tiaras, necklaces, and brooches, according to the French Ministry of Culture. One of Empress Eugénie’s crowns was later found damaged outside the museum.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the operation as “major and highly organized.” The perpetrators fled on two motorcycles after attempting to set fire to the cherry picker. Police recovered angle grinders, a blowtorch, gasoline, and a high-visibility vest at the scene.

The heist highlights security concerns that Louvre staff had raised for months. Museum director Laurence des Cars had warned the culture minister earlier this year about overcrowding, understaffing, and weakened security amid the massive “Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance” renovation project, set for completion in 2031.