The Louvre Heist: Royal Jewels Snatched in Paris

On Sunday, October 19, thieves pulled off a lightning-fast robbery at Paris’s Louvre Museum, targeting the Galerie d’Apollon—home to France’s royal jewels. In minutes, they smashed display cases and fled with eight to nine pieces linked to 19th-century royalty, including items associated with Empress Eugénie and Napoleon’s circle. French authorities estimate the loss at roughly €88 million (about $143 million CAD), though the cultural value is far greater.

Investigators say the crew used a lift to access an upper-level window before the raid, a tactic consistent with organized, well-rehearsed museum thefts. The French government has ordered a broader security review of cultural sites in the wake of the incident.

What Was Stolen from The Louvre:

From the sapphire “parure” (set) of Marie-Amélie of Naples and Sicily and Hortense de Beauharnais:

• A tiara

• A necklace

• Earrings (part of the same set)

From the emerald “parure” of Marie-Louise of Austria (second wife of Napoleon I):

• An emerald necklace

• A pair of emerald earrings 

From Empress Eugénie de Montijo:

• A tiara

• A large corsage (bodice-knot) brooch

• A reliquary brooch (brooch with a compartment for a relic)

The famous crown of Empress Eugénie (adorned with diamonds and emeralds) was dropped during the escape, found outside the museum in damaged condition, while multiple pieces were removed intact.

Experts warn that the first 24–48 hours after a jewel heist are critical; once gems are recut or settings melted, recovery becomes far less likely.

Priceless Museum Pieces Uninsured

Another striking detail for the jewellery world: the stolen treasures were not covered by private insurance. As a state collection, the Louvre “self-insures,” reflecting the difficulty (and cost) of insuring national-scale holdings. That policy underscores how priceless heritage pieces sit outside normal commercial risk models.

Global recovery efforts are already underway. INTERPOL has added the jewels to its Stolen Works of Art database to alert law enforcement and the trade. Detailed records can help identify stones or settings if they surface, though alterations remain a real threat to the historical value of these pieces.