Several hours after news broke that thieves had broken into the Louvre Museum in Paris and stolen royal jewels of “incalculable” value, France’s Ministry of Culture sent out a press release officially detailing what was stolen in the robbery.
By the culture ministry’s accounting, the pieces stolen from the Galerie d’Apollon included:
(Follow the links to see the Louvre’s images of the pieces):
According to the release, the thieves dropped two of those items—the “reliquary” brooch and the corsage bow—while making their escape. Both objects were “recovered in good condition.”
The emerald necklace and earrings from the parure of Empress Marie-Louise, stolen from the Louvre on Sunday. The necklace includes 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds.
Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images
Here’s the press release in full, translated from the French:
Information regarding the burglary that occurred on Sunday, October 19, at the Louvre Museum
This Sunday, October 19, the Louvre Museum experienced a break-in and theft in the Galerie d’Apollon, which houses the royal collection of gems and the French Crown Jewels. Two high-security display cases were targeted, and several items of inestimable heritage value were stolen, including:
- Diadem from the parure of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense;
- Necklace from the sapphire parure of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense;
- Earring from the same sapphire parure of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense;
- Emerald necklace from the parure of Empress Marie-Louise;
- Pair of emerald earrings from the parure of Empress Marie-Louise;
- “Reliquary” brooch;
- Diadem of Empress Eugénie;
- Large corsage bow of Empress Eugénie (brooch).
The alarms located on the exterior window of the Galerie d’Apollon and those connected to the two display cases were triggered. At the time of the break-in—particularly fast and violent—the five Louvre security agents present in the room and in nearby galleries immediately followed the established security protocol: making contact with law enforcement and prioritizing the safety of visitors and staff.
Thanks to the professionalism and swift intervention of the Louvre’s agents, the thieves fled the scene, leaving behind two of the items they had attempted to steal—specifically, Empress Eugénie’s corsage bow and the reliquary brooch, both of which were recovered in good condition. A mechanical cherry picker used by the perpetrators was seized thanks to the prompt response of a Louvre museum security officer, while the burglar escaped on foot.
No injuries were reported among the public or staff.
The Minister of Culture wishes to thank the Louvre’s staff for their responsiveness and great professionalism.
She also recalls that, as part of the “Louvre – New Renaissance” project announced by the President of the Republic last January, an ambitious new security plan is being implemented, including:
- Enhanced security measures with new-generation surveillance cameras;
- Perimeter detection;
- A new security command center.
An investigation for organized theft and conspiracy to commit a crime has been opened and entrusted to the Brigade de répression du banditisme (BRB) under the authority of the Paris public prosecutor’s office.
