On the 19th of October at 9:30 a.m., two masked thieves accessed the Apollo Gallery by a truck lift. They cut through a window and smashed the display cases, escaping with 19th-century royal and imperial jewels valued at nearly 90 million. These items, linked to personalities such as Marie-Amélie, Hortense, Empress Marie-Louise, and Empress Eugénie, constitute an incredible historical treasure. The Jewels included sapphires and emeralds, diadems and brooches.
Despite security protocols, the thieves managed to escape. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau noted that while the jewels are worth 88 million, their historical loss is far greater.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati defended the Louvre’s security systems, stating they functioned properly. And the Museum opened soon after; however, the Apollo Gallery remains closed for investigation. How could this have happened at an institution like the Louvre?
