BREAKING: Thieves Steal Napoleon's Jewels From Louvre in Shocking Robbery 

The world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris was abruptly closed, following a daring armed robbery that occurred shortly after opening, according to French Culture Minister Rachida Dati.

No injuries were reported, and Dati confirmed she was on-site coordinating with museum teams and police as investigations began.

Details of the Heist

Stolen Items: Thieves targeted historic jewelry from the collection of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Joséphine, including nine pieces such as a necklace, brooch, tiara, and other valuables housed in the Galerie d'Apollon. The total value is still under assessment.

Three masked assailants reportedly entered via a construction site on the Seine side, used a freight elevator to access the gallery, smashed display cases, and fled undetected—possibly on scooters toward the A6 motorway. The operation was described as "highly organized," raising questions about potential insider knowledge.

Immediate Aftermath: The museum was evacuated and remains temporarily closed for the day, with police reviewing security footage and launching a manhunt for the suspects.

No other artworks, including the Mona Lisa, appear to have been affected.

This marks a rare theft at the heavily secured Louvre, the world's most-visited museum. The last known robbery occurred in May 1988, when a 19th-century landscape painting by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot was cut from its frame and stolen during opening hours—it remains missing.

The museum's most famous heist was the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, recovered two years later.

The incident has sparked immediate online reactions, with X posts describing it as a "highly organized" heist and sharing images/videos of the evacuation. Some users humorously speculated about the Mona Lisa "stepping outside," while others expressed shock at the breach in security.

As of now, police investigations continue, with no arrests reported.