Thieves Steal Priceless Napoleonic Jewelry in Louvre Heist

A daring heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris resulted in the theft of priceless Napoleonic jewelry, leaving authorities in pursuit of the masked thieves. The incident occurred during daylight hours on October 1, 2023, when a gang of robbers used a cherry picker to access the museum’s facade. After forcing open a window approximately thirty minutes after opening, the thieves smashed display cases in the Galerie d’Apollon, home to some of France’s most significant royal treasures.

The stolen items include nine pieces, notably a diamond-encrusted crown, a tiara, and various necklaces and earrings. The gang managed to escape the world’s most-visited museum on motorbikes, and while investigators have recovered some items, fears grow that others may be lost for good. This is not the first time the gallery has faced such a threat; in December 1976, masked robbers executed a similar operation, stealing a jeweled sword belonging to King Charles X, which remains unrecovered.

Valuable Treasures Taken

Among the most significant items stolen is the crown of Empress Eugénie, adorned with over 1,300 diamonds. This exquisite piece, crafted in 1855 by renowned goldsmith Alexandre-Gabriel Lemonnier, reflects the grandeur of the Second French Empire. According to Alexandre Giquello, president of the Drouot auction house, its value is estimated at tens of millions of dollars. Investigators have since found the crown near the Louvre, albeit broken, indicating a hasty escape.

Also missing is a reliquary brooch, set with 94 diamonds, which was created alongside the crown to symbolize the Empress’s Catholic faith. In addition, a corsage bow featuring 2,438 diamonds and 196 rose-cut stones, as well as a tiara with 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds, were reported stolen.

Historical Significance

The heist also included a necklace and matching earrings commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to commemorate his second marriage to Marie-Louise in 1810. The gold necklace features a stunning 13.75-carat oval emerald at its center, complemented by another 32 emeralds and more than 1,000 diamonds. After the fall of Napoleon’s empire, this set passed through generations before being acquired by the Louvre in 2004.

Additionally, a sapphire jewelry set, worn by members of the Orléans family, was also part of the stolen collection. Although the thieves only managed to take one earring from this set, which showcases natural Ceylon sapphires surrounded by diamonds, it highlights the audacity of the operation.

Authorities continue to investigate the situation, and the Louvre Museum has not yet released a statement regarding potential security enhancements following the incident. As the search for the remaining stolen items intensifies, the art world remains on high alert, concerned about the potential loss of these invaluable pieces of history.