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Paris prosecutor values stolen Louvre jewels at over $100 million
A spectacular heist at the Louvre has stunned France after eight pieces of royal jewelry, including crown diamonds, were stolen from the museum’s Apollo Gallery in the early hours of Sunday. The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, revealed on Tuesday that the stolen collection is valued at around 88 million euros, more than $100 million, though she warned that the real loss lies in the immense historical and cultural damage.
A daring theft in the heart of Paris
The burglars reportedly used a truck-mounted mechanical ladder to access the museum’s second floor, sawing through a window before entering the gallery that houses part of France’s royal collection. Within minutes, they removed priceless treasures, including a royal sapphire necklace, an emerald necklace with matching earrings, and a diadem once worn by Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III.
According to early findings, the robbers are believed to belong to an organized criminal network specialized in art and luxury crimes. Experts suggest that such thieves are usually more interested in dismantling stolen jewels for resale in the black market than preserving their artistic or historical value.
Authorities expand investigation
“The value of these jewels is extraordinary,” Beccuau said in an interview with RTL radio, “but it cannot compare to the historical loss caused by this theft.” She noted that although the jewels are estimated at 88 million euros, the thieves are unlikely to obtain anywhere near that price if they melt or break them apart.
Investigators hope this realization might discourage the destruction of the collection. Ms. Beccuau confirmed that the investigation team has expanded from 60 to 100 officers to track down those responsible. The pieces, she added, were not insured, a common practice for national collections because of the high cost of coverage and the typically low accident rate. France’s culture ministry confirmed that “the state acts as its own insurer” for artworks kept in their regular locations.
A curious twist near Paris
In a striking twist, investigators discovered that the truck-mounted electric ladder used in the robbery had been rented under false pretenses from a company in Louvres, a small town just 35 kilometers north of Paris, sharing its name with the world-famous museum. The thieves reportedly threatened an employee who tried to recover the equipment, prompting the company to file a police complaint.
The coincidence of the names, Ms. Beccuau admitted, adds a strange note to an already sensational case. For now, the culprits remain at large as police work through surveillance footage and intelligence networks to recover what many consider an irreplaceable part of France’s royal heritage.