Photo: BBC
The robbery at the Louvre on October 19 was executed with lightning speed — it took the thieves just seven minutes to steal jewels from Napoleon’s collection, according to French broadcaster TF1.
The perpetrators disguised themselves as construction workers involved in the museum’s renovation. Two arrived in a truck with a lift, while two others came on scooters. They set up traffic cones beforehand, then climbed to the first floor and used a circular saw to cut through the glass in the Apollo Gallery.
Their target was the most valuable exhibits — diamonds from the imperial crown. The robbers smashed two display cases, “Napoleon’s Jewelry” and “Monarchs’ Treasures,” taking between five and ten priceless items.
An eyewitness said the actual theft lasted only 30 seconds before the criminals fled on two Yamaha TMAX scooters at 9:38 a.m. However, France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that the entire operation lasted just over seven minutes.
One of the stolen items — the crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III — was later found near the museum, damaged. Authorities believe the thieves dropped it while escaping.
During the incident, around 2,000 visitors were inside the Louvre. Initially told to remain in place, they were later evacuated safely.
