PARIS and LONDON — A number of individuals broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris, the place they cracked open show circumstances and stole jewellery with “inestimable heritage and historic worth,” earlier than making their getaway on bikes, the museum and two ministers stated.
The suspects “broke open” a window and entered the museum’s Apollo Gallery, which homes the French crown jewels, amongst different artifacts, at about 9:30 a.m. native time on Sunday, the museum stated in a press release. The small print of the items that have been taken throughout the brazen theft had not but been made public.
“Investigations have begun, and a exact record of the stolen gadgets is underway,” the museum stated in a press release.
French law enforcement officials examine an alleged theft on the Louvre Museum, on Quai Francois Mitterrand, in Paris on Oct. 19, 2025.
Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP through Getty Photos
French Inside Minister Laurent Nunez in an interview on native radio stated the worth of the gadgets can be “inestimable.”
At the very least three suspects appeared to have been concerned, Nunez stated, including that some or all appeared to have entered the Apollo Gallery and to have taken jewels. He stated they appeared to have used a building ladder to enter the constructing.
The alleged theft took about seven minutes, he stated.
Cops stand close to the pyramid of the Louvre museum after reviews of a theft, in Paris, France, Oct. 19, 2025.
Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
A notification posted on the museum’s web site shortly afterward stated, “The Louvre Museum will stay closed right now for distinctive causes. We thanks in your understanding.”
The choice to shut the museum was made collectively by its administration, the police and the Ministry of the Inside, museum officers stated in a press release. The doorways have been closed as “a safety measure and to protect traces and proof for the investigation,” the assertion stated.
Kaci Benedetti, who was visiting Paris from the USA, advised ABC Information she was standing in line to enter the museum on Sunday when a commotion started. Police have been operating alongside the courtyard the place Benedetti and her household have been ready, she stated.
Forensic law enforcement officials arrive on the Louvre museum after reviews of a theft, in Paris, France, Oct. 19, 2025.
Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
She watched because the officers tried to enter the constructing via a aspect door, however “couldn’t as a result of they have been locked,” she stated.
“We may see individuals inside operating and a few have been banging on the glass doorways to get out, however couldn’t as a result of they have been locked,” Benedetti stated. “Then police and army police arrived. After about an hour they introduced the Louvre was closed for right now.”
The information of the theft got here first from French Minister of Tradition Rachida Dati, who said on social media, “A theft befell this morning on the opening of the Louvre Museum.”
Dati added, “No accidents to report. I’m on website alongside the museum groups and the police. Investigations underway.”
ABC Information’ Victoria Beaule contributed to this report.
