Louvre Museum, that houses Mona Lisa, just got robbed

PARIS: In a scene straight out of a heist thriller, chainsaw-wielding robbers stormed the Louvre Museum in broad daylight on Sunday, prompting a full-day shutdown of one of the world’s most visited cultural landmarks.

The brazen robbery unfolded shortly after the museum opened, with assailants reportedly arriving on scooters and breaching the building through a facade currently under construction along the Seine River. According to French media, the intruders used compact chainsaws and a freight elevator to make their way directly to the prestigious Apollo Gallery, home to some of France’s most treasured historical artifacts.

There, in a calculated smash-and-grab operation, the thieves shattered glass displays and fled with nine irreplaceable pieces of jewellery once belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Joséphine, plunging France’s cultural community into shock.

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, on site with police, confirmed the incident on social media, saying, “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum. No injuries to report. Investigations are ongoing.”

The Louvre also announced its closure for the day due to what it described as “exceptional reasons,” offering no further public comment as of press time.

Authorities have yet to confirm the identities or the number of suspects involved, though police sources told international media that the operation was swift, professional, and executed with clear knowledge of the museum’s internal layout.

Security footage, eyewitness accounts, and forensic evidence are being reviewed as investigators scramble to recover the stolen treasures and identify the perpetrators behind one of the most audacious museum heists in recent European history.

While the exact details of what pieces have been stolen has not yet been released by the authorities, there are reports that stolen pieces include French crown jewels.

The Louvre also houses several masterpieces including paintings Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David, and sculptures Venus de Milo and Great Sphinx of Tanis.