TOURISTS fled in panic from the Louvre after a dramatic robbery forced the sudden closure of the world’s most visited museum.
A gang of “highly organised criminals” broke in and reportedly made off with millions of pounds-worth of historic jewellery once belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Joséphine.
The dramatic raid — described by investigators as meticulously planned — unfolded early Sunday morning, forcing the sudden closure of the museum “for exceptional reasons” and triggering a major police operation in the heart of Paris.
France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati announced on X: “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the @MuseeLouvre.
“No injuries to report. I am on site alongside the museum teams and the police. Investigations underway.”
The museum confirmed an unscheduled full-day closure “for exceptional reasons”.
According to police sources quoted by Le Parisien, the gang gained access to the building from the Seine River side, where construction work is underway.
The insider said: “They used a freight elevator that leads directly to the targeted room.
“After breaking windows, two men entered, stealing nine pieces from Napoleon and the Empress’s jewellery collection – a necklace, a brooch, and more.”
The stolen collection, built after Napoleon and Joséphine were crowned Emperor and Empress in 1804, is among the most sumptuous in French history.
Some pieces were looted from royalty during the French Revolution, while others were seized from across the Napoleonic Empire.
The robbery reportedly unfolded shortly after doors opened and the first visitors had entered, according to Le Figaro.
Police units swarmed the area as thousands of visitors were evacuated and told to stay away.
The investigation, now underway, will seek to determine how criminals breached one of the most secure cultural sites in Europe.
The Louvre is a global symbol of French culture and home to masterpieces including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
The most visited museum in the world, it draws around 8 to 9 million visitors each year.
It also holds around 380,000 objects, with more than 35,000 on display.
The Louvre’s collection is estimated to be worth tens of billions of pounds, making it one of the most heavily guarded museums on Earth.
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