By SYLVIE CORBET, Related Press
PARIS (AP) — The Louvre remained closed Monday, a day after historic jewels have been stolen from the world’s most-visited museum in a daring daylight heist that prompted authorities to reassess safety measures at cultural websites throughout France.
The museum’s employees requested dozens of tourists who have been queuing in entrance of the glass pyramid entrance to depart. In a message posted on social media, the Louvre mentioned guests who’ve booked tickets might be refunded. It didn’t present extra particulars.
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Folks queue exterior the Louvre museum that is still closed for the day after Sunday’s jewels theft, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photograph/Emma Da Silva)
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Folks queue exterior the Louvre museum that is still closed for the day after Sunday’s jewels theft, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photograph/Emma Da Silva)
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On Sunday, thieves rode a basket carry up the Louvre’s facade, compelled a window, smashed show instances and fled with priceless Napoleonic jewels, officers mentioned. The theft occurred about half-hour after the museum opened, with guests already inside, and was among the many highest-profile museum thefts in residing reminiscence.
It unfolded simply 250 meters from the Mona Lisa, in what Tradition Minister Rachida Dati described as an expert operation that lasted just some minutes.
French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged safety failures on Monday.
“One can surprise about the truth that, for instance, the home windows hadn’t been secured, about the truth that a basket carry was on a public street,” he mentioned on France Inter radio. “Having (beforehand) been inside minister, I do know that we can’t fully safe all locations, however what is for certain is that we have now failed.”
Inside Minister Laurent Nunez ordered prefects throughout France to right away reassess safety measures defending museums and different cultural websites and improve them if wanted.
Tradition Minister Rachida Dati mentioned investigators are engaged on proof discovered on the scene.
“We did discover bikes they usually have a license plate,” Dati mentioned on information broadcaster CNews. “I additionally need to pay tribute to the safety officers who prevented the basket carry from being set on fireplace. One of many criminals tried to set it on fireplace, however they compelled him to flee. This allowed us to get well proof on the scene.”
Officers mentioned the heist lasted lower than eight minutes in complete, together with lower than 4 minutes contained in the Louvre. “They went straight to the show home windows, they knew precisely what they wished. They have been very environment friendly.” Dati mentioned.
Dati burdened {that a} decade-long “Louvre New Renaissance” plan that was launched earlier this yr contains safety enhancements.
“When the Louvre Museum was designed, it was not meant to accommodate 10 million guests,” she mentioned.
The $760-million plan is meant to modernize infrastructure, ease crowding and provides the Mona Lisa a devoted gallery by 2031.
Sunday’s theft targeted on the gilded Apollo Gallery, the place the Crown Diamonds are displayed. Alarms introduced Louvre brokers to the room, forcing the intruders to bolt, however the theft was already over.
A employee within the Louvre filmed an individual within the Apollo Gallery on Sunday morning sporting a yellow jacket and standing by a glass encasing, in accordance with video considered and verified by BFM tv. It’s unclear whether or not the individual is among the suspects.
Eight objects have been taken, in accordance with officers: a sapphire diadem, necklace and single earring from an identical set linked to Nineteenth-century French queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense; an emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second spouse; a reliquary brooch; and Empress Eugénie’s diadem and her giant corsage-bow brooch, a prized Nineteenth-century imperial ensemble.
One object, the emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon III’s spouse, Empress Eugénie, containing greater than 1,300 diamonds, was later discovered exterior the museum, French authorities mentioned.
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