On a busy Sunday morning in Paris, thieves executed a daring plan to steal some of France's crown jewels from the Louvre Museum. Within minutes, priceless artifacts were taken from their display and whisked away on Yamaha scooters, raising concerns about the museum's security measures. The Louvre, often perceived as one of the most secure buildings globally, was vulnerable during the early hours of its operation. Experts note that the museum's opening time can be a weak point. "Lots of objects have been stolen during the day. You are distracted, all of those security guards are distracted by thousands of people coming into the museum, particularly as it had just opened," said Donna Brett, an art history associate professor at the University of Sydney. While visitors are screened for tools that could aid in theft, the thieves used a crane and power tools to gain entry through a window on the museum's south side, facing the River Seine. The Apollo Gallery, where the jewels were housed, is located on the first floor of the Denon wing. At approximately 9:30 a.m., just half an hour after the museum opened, the intruders accessed the balcony using a truck-mounted lift parked on Quai Francois Mitterrand. They cut through the window panes with a disc cutter, allowing at least one of the four masked intruders to enter the gallery. French officials confirmed that the thieves threatened guards with angle grinders but were not armed. The heist has prompted scrutiny of the Louvre's security protocols. Staff members had previously raised concerns about vulnerabilities, citing that the influx of tourists creates blind spots in security. Despite recent upgrades, including new cameras and a security control room, reports indicate that only a quarter of one wing is under video surveillance. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged the security challenges, stating, "There is a great vulnerability in French museums," while emphasizing that security measures had been reinforced. Following the incident, the French government ordered a security review at the Louvre and other cultural sites across the country. The Louvre, which dates back to the 12th century, was originally a fortress before becoming a royal palace. Lynda Albertson, chief of the Association for Research into Crimes against Art, noted that the museum's architecture does not meet modern security needs. The Apollo Gallery, designed to reflect the image of the sun god Apollo, houses 105 artworks, including the crown jewels. The gallery's glass cabinets contained pieces from the House of Bonaparte and jewels belonging to notable figures such as Empress Eugénie and Queen Marie-Amélie. The crown jewel collection, assembled in the 1500s, has a storied history, with pieces passed down through generations and altered over time. Daniela Mascetti, a former Sotheby's jewelry expert, remarked on the irony of the situation, stating, "These are jewels that the French state had decided to alienate in 1887. The state decides to sell them, the private [actor] decides to give them back to the state and they disappear again." As authorities continue their investigation, the fate of the stolen treasures remains uncertain, highlighting the ongoing challenges of securing cultural heritage in a world where art theft is a persistent threat.
Heist at the Louvre: Crown Jewels Stolen in Broad Daylight

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