Hours after news broke that thieves broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris and stole royal jewels worth “incalculable” value, France’s Culture Ministry issued a press release formally detailing the items stolen in the heist.
According to the Ministry of Culture, the works stolen from the Apollo Gallery include:
(Click on the link to view pictures of the Louvre + historical information about the collection):
The thieves dropped two of the items — a “relic” brooch and corsage bow — as they fled, according to the release.
Both items were “recovered intact.”
Queen Marie Louise’s emerald necklace and earrings were stolen from the Louvre on Sunday. The necklace contains 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds.
Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images
Below is the full text of the press release, translated from French:
Information about the burglary that occurred at the Louvre Museum on Sunday, October 19
On Sunday, October 19, the Louvre Museum’s Galerie d’Apollon, which houses the Royal Gem Collection and the French Crown Jewels, suffered a burglary. Two high security display cabinets were targeted and a number of items of immeasurable heritage value were stolen, including:
- The tiara comes from the jewelry of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense;
- Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense’s sapphire necklaces;
- Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense’s matching sapphire earrings;
- The emerald necklace is from Queen Marie Louise’s jewelry;
- A pair of emerald earrings from Queen Marie-Louise’s jewelry;
- “Reliquary” brooch;
- Empress Eugenie’s crown;
- Empress Eugenie’s large corsage bow (brooch).
Alarms located in the exterior windows of the Apollo Gallery and connected to two display cases were triggered. When the break-in occurred, five Louvre security officers in the room and in nearby galleries immediately followed established security protocols: contacting law enforcement and prioritizing the safety of visitors and staff.
Thanks to the professionalism and quick intervention of Louvre staff, the thieves fled the scene, leaving behind the two items they attempted to steal – specifically Queen Eugenie’s corsage bow and relic brooch, both of which were recovered intact. Thanks to the quick response of Louvre Museum security staff, the mechanical cherry picker used by the perpetrators was seized, while the thieves escaped on foot.
There were no reports of injuries to members of the public or staff.
The Culture Minister thanked the Louvre staff for their positive response and high level of professionalism.
She also recalled that as “The Louvre – the New Renaissance” An ambitious new security plan is being implemented, based on the project announced by the President of the Republic last January, which includes:
- Enhanced security measures with next-generation surveillance cameras;
- perimeter detection;
- New security command center.
a survey Organized theft and criminal conspiracy has been opened and delegated to Suppress bandit brigade (BRB) is part of the Paris Prosecutor’s Office.
