PARIS, KOMPAS.com - The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, was temporarily closed on Sunday (19/10/2025) after a robbery of the crown jewel collection belonging to the French imperial family.

Police said the theft occurred very quickly, in just a matter of minutes, and caused a major shock to the world of arts and culture.

The incident occurred at around 9:30 a.m. local time, just moments after the museum opened to the public.

Four perpetrators arrived using a vehicle equipped with a mechanical ladder.

Using this tool, they climbed onto the balcony of the Apollo Gallery—an exhibition space that houses a collection of royal jewelry and directly overlooks the Seine River.

Two perpetrators used a battery-powered electric cutting tool to break into the museum's first-floor window.

After entering, they threatened security guards. The guards then evacuated the visitors in accordance with safety procedures.

Eight historic jewels missing

LOUVRE MUSEUM The crown of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. This crown was found dropped near the Louvre Museum, Paris, France, during a mass robbery on Sunday (19/10/2025).

The French Ministry of Culture stated that the museum's security system responded quickly. An alarm sounded automatically upon detecting a disturbance, and all visitors were immediately evacuated to a safe area.

Within four minutes, the perpetrators looted two glass cases in the Apollo Gallery containing eight pieces of historic jewelry belonging to the imperial family.

After leaving the building, the perpetrators attempted to set fire to their vehicle. However, the attempt was thwarted by a museum staff member who witnessed the incident at the scene.

The robbers then fled on two scooters through the streets along the banks of the River Seine.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the action was carried out very quickly and neatly.

"This action was very well planned and carried out at extraordinary speed," Nunez told France Inter radio, as quoted by the BBC.

Meanwhile, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati stated that security camera footage showed the perpetrators entering calmly, wearing masks, then breaking a glass case and making off with the jewelry.

"There was no violence. Everything looked very professional," Dati said in an interview with television station TF1.

Authorities confirmed the theft of eight 19th-century jewels. These include:

• A tiara and brooch belonging to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III
• An emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings belonging to Empress Marie Louise
• A tiara, necklace, and one pair of sapphire-set earrings belonging to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense
• A brooch called a reliquary brooch

Two objects, including Empress Eugenie's crown, were found not far from the scene and are believed to have fallen as the perpetrator fled.

Police are now hunting the four suspects and analyzing CCTV footage along their escape route.

According to Laurent Nunez, the jewelry is priceless and has significant significance as a cultural heritage of the French nation.