On the morning of October 19th, 2025, the Louvre was robbed for the first time in over 20 years. The operation was executed by four people, who stole €88 million worth of jewels from the “Joyaux de la Couronne de France” collection. The robbery has led to an extensive investigation, as well as a global media frenzy.
Disguised as construction workers and donning ski masks, two of the thieves used a furniture lift to access a first-story window. Using a disc cutter, they carved a hole in the window, landing in the Galerie d’Apollon. The break-in triggered security alarms, and guards were quickly called to the scene—but the robbers threatened the guards with security tools and were able to continue on with their heist, successfully obtaining nine royal jewels.
The duo fled the scene and met up with the other two participants, who were waiting outside on motor scooters. The crew completed the operation in just seven minutes, and managed to flee southward. However, in their haste, they dropped one of the stolen items—the Crown of Empress Eugénie. The crown has been left with damages, but it is believed to be restorable.
Immediately after the crime, the Louvre was shut down and evacuated. The museum director, Laurence des Cars, offered to resign over her inability to protect the artifacts, but the French Ministry of Culture declined this offer, and Cars has kept her position. On October 22nd, des Cars and other administrators made the decision to reopen the Louvre—with the exception of the Galerie d’Apollon where the jewels were stolen from.
The Louvre heist quickly captured the attention of the public. Social media users have begun to romanticize the operation by comparing it to films and TV shows like Ocean’s Eleven and Lupin, as well as creating aesthetic edits and moodboards. One viral TikTok imagines the heist culprits as four teenagers named Carlos, Evan, Vienna, and Brianne, caught in a messy love triangle.
However, this notion has been proven false by a 60-person investigation conducted by the Paris Prosecutor’s office. On October 25th, two men were arrested: a 34-year-old Algerian national and a 39-year-old Aubervilliers native. The men have since made partial confessions and faced charges for direct involvement in the crime; they are believed to be the duo who broke into the gallery.
A third man, age 37, was arrested on October 29th and charged for direct involvement. He is believed to have driven the furniture lift and waited outside with the getaway scooters. His romantic partner, a 38-year-old woman, has been charged for complicity, but she is not believed to have been directly involved in the heist. This leaves the fourth member of the operation unknown to authorities.
The eight stolen items, including earrings, necklaces, brooches, and a second tiara, have not yet been recovered. Experts believe the culprits may have already melted or deconstructed the jewels—a method often used by thieves to resell valuables without suspicion. However, many still hold out hope that the priceless artifacts will one day be returned to their home.
This article also appears in our November 2025 print edition.
