Robbers have stolen ‘priceless’ jewellery from the gathering of the Louvre museum and art gallery in Paris, France’s interior minister has said.
The heist lasted just seven minutes, Laurent Nuñez told French radio, and involved the usage of a goods lift.
In keeping with news site Le Parisien, the jewellery that was taken included items belonging to Napoleon and the Empress Josephine.
One in all the pieces was found outside the museum.
Citing a police source, news wire AFP reported the thieves arrived on a scooter armed with small chainsaws, and used the furniture elevator to access the Galerie d’Apollon.
The world-famous site is closed to visitors for the remaining of the day as an investigation is launched into the theft.
Nuñez said: ‘It was obligatory to evacuate people (…) primarily to preserve traces and clues in order that investigators could work calmly.’
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the incident in a post on X, saying it took place this morning and no injuries were reported.
She wrote: ‘I’m on site alongside the museum teams and the police. Investigations underway.’
The museum’s own X account posted it will ‘remain closed today for exceptional reasons’.
The Louvre is the largest museum on this planet, and is home to renowned artworks including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo statue.
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