Paris – The Louvre Museum was closed on Sunday following a robbery, according to France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati. She announced on social media that no injuries were reported and that an investigation is underway. "A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum," Dati wrote on X. The museum cited "exceptional reasons" for its closure but did not provide further details about the incident. Reports indicate that four individuals broke a window on the first floor shortly after the museum opened. They allegedly stole nine pieces from the jewelry collection, including items from the Napoleonic era, before fleeing the scene. The thieves reportedly used a freight elevator to access the Galerie d’Apollon, where the theft occurred. The Interior Ministry stated that forensic teams are currently assessing the situation and compiling an inventory of the stolen items, which are described as having "inestimable" historical value. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the incident as a "major robbery" and noted that the operation lasted approximately seven minutes. He mentioned that the thieves used a disc cutter to break the display cases and that they escaped on two-wheelers. The Louvre, a global symbol of French culture, is one of the most visited museums in the world, attracting up to 30,000 visitors daily. It has a long history of thefts, with the most notable being the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa by Vincenzo Peruggia, who hid inside the museum and walked out with the painting under his coat. The painting was recovered two years later in Florence. In 1983, two pieces of Renaissance-era armor were stolen from the museum and were not recovered until nearly four decades later. The museum's collection includes over 33,000 works, ranging from antiquities to European masterpieces, and features renowned pieces such as the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The Galerie d’Apollon, where the theft occurred, is known for displaying a selection of the French Crown Jewels. The museum's security measures have been a topic of discussion, especially in light of this recent incident. As the investigation continues, the Louvre remains closed, and authorities are working to ensure the safety of its collections and visitors.