It’s Been 9 Days Since the Louvre Heist: Here’s What We Know Now
It’s been just over a week since one of the boldest museum robberies in decades – a daylight heist that stunned Parisians and art lovers around the world.
Here’s the latest on what’s happened since.
The Heist, in Brief
On October 19, a quiet Sunday morning, a group of four thieves dressed as construction workers pulled up to the Louvre’s Seine-facing side in a truck equipped with a basket lift.
Using the pretense of renovation work, two men raised the lift to a window of the Galerie d’Apollon, forced it open with a saw, and entered the museum while it was open to the public. Within minutes, they smashed two display cases, stole royal jewels worth tens of millions of euros, and sped away on scooters through central Paris.
The entire operation took seven minutes, and the robbers were in the museum for only four minutes.
Two Suspects Arrested
Police have arrested two French men believed to be connected to the heist. One was caught at Charles de Gaulle Airport as he prepared to leave the country. The other was detained in the Paris region, but had imminent plans to leave the country as well.
Both men are in their early 30’s, have a history of burglary, and live in Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris.
The arrests come as investigators continue to piece together how the theft was executed so quickly and precisely.
New Security Footage Emerges
Security cameras appear to have captured part of the escape. The footage shows two masked figures descending the basket lift from the second-floor window of the Louvre before jumping onto scooters and disappearing along the Seine.
It’s a surreal visual, and one that underscores just how brazenly the theft unfolded in the heart of Paris, in broad daylight, as visitors toured the museum surrounding the galerie.
DNA Found at the Scene
Forensic teams recovered around 150 DNA samples from the Galerie d’Apollon and the basket lift area. One of those traces led investigators to one of the suspects now in custody.
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that forensics experts are still analyzing evidence daily, and that additional suspects could be identified as testing continues.
The Investigation Widens
The Paris prosecutor’s office initially assigned 60 officers to the case, but that number has now grown to more than 100 under the supervision of France’s Interior Ministry.
So far, none of the stolen jewels have been recovered.
What Was Stolen
Officials estimate the missing pieces are worth about €88 million (roughly $102 million).
The thieves escaped with eight items, including:
- A sapphire tiara, necklace, and single earring linked to Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense
- An emerald necklace and earrings belonging to Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon’s second wife
- A reliquary brooch and diamond corsage bow brooch owned by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III
- A diamond and pearl tiara once owned by Empress Eugénie
Eugénie’s emerald-and-diamond crown was also taken in the heist, but was later found outside the museum, damaged but repairable.
The Galerie d’Apollon Remains Closed
The Louvre was closed for several days following the heist but has since reopened. However, the Galerie d’Apollon, where the jewels were displayed, remains closed to visitors while the investigation continues.
The Jewels Are Now Stored Underground
In response to the theft, the Louvre has moved its most valuable jewels to the Bank of France. They’re now stored in one of the country’s most secure vaults, located 26 meters (85 feet) below ground in central Paris.
The German Connection
A small, family-run company in Germany found itself unexpectedly linked to the story.
The thieves used a Böcker Agilo furniture lift, a model made by this German machinery company, to reach the gallery window. After the heist made international headlines, Böcker turned the attention into clever marketing, posting a tongue-in-cheek ad.
The company added that the lift can carry “up to 400 kg of treasures at 42 meters per minute – as quiet as a whisper.” (The company did also say that they were deeply saddened and shocked by the theft.)
Government Response
Amid growing criticism that years of staff and budget cuts may have weakened museum security, the Louvre’s director faced questioning last Wednesday by French senators.
President Emmanuel Macron has also ordered a “speeding up” of planned security improvements at national museums across France.
Officials have acknowledged that the Louvre’s current surveillance coverage is far from complete – only about one-third of the museum is equipped with security cameras. There is a camera in the Galerie d’Apollon, but it was facing away from the window where the thieves broke in.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati noted that the challenge goes beyond funding or staffing alone.
“What you must remember about France is that our buildings are historic monuments,” Dati said. “So, it is more complex to secure them.”
What Happens Next
Both suspects remain in custody as the investigation expands. Under French law, police have 96 hours to charge or release them. Authorities believe additional people were involved in planning and carrying out the theft.
The jewels, royal heirlooms from the Napoleonic era, are still missing. Some experts fear they may have already been broken apart or sold, while others speculate the job may have been done with a private collector in mind.
For now, the Louvre’s glittering Galerie d’Apollon stays dark, its ceiling still gleaming but its cases empty. Hopefully soon, its treasures will return to their rightful place in the golden gallery.
