The Louvre secretly transferred part of its jewellery collection to the Bank of France vaults on Friday for safekeeping. French broadcaster RTL reported that police escorted the items, which included pieces from the Apollo Gallery and other museum sections.
Officials took the step after last week’s daring robbery, where eight crown jewels vanished from the world-famous museum. The bank’s underground vault, located 27 metres beneath its Paris headquarters, stores 90% of France’s gold reserves and now guards the transferred collection.
Authorities said the move aimed to protect the remaining treasures while investigators continue to track the stolen pieces.
Thieves Execute Bold Robbery in Broad Daylight
Investigators said several thieves carried out the heist in broad daylight, entering the Louvre with meticulous planning. They used a basket lift to reach a balcony near the Apollo Gallery, forced a window open, and smashed display cases before escaping on two-wheelers.
The robbery lasted between six and seven minutes. A Paris prosecutor estimated the stolen jewels’ value at 88 million euros, excluding their immense cultural and historical worth to France.
Police described the operation as professional and swift, noting that the criminals appeared to have studied the museum’s layout in detail.
Outrage Grows as Security Failures Exposed
The heist ignited national outrage and renewed debate about museum security in France. Lawmakers condemned the incident as a “national humiliation,” demanding answers from cultural authorities.
Louvre officials had previously warned that security funding had fallen behind growing threats. Critics now say the robbery exposes years of underinvestment in museum protection.
The Louvre theft is part of a wider pattern. French authorities confirmed that at least four other museums have been robbed in recent months, reflecting a sharp rise in high-profile art and jewellery heists across Europe.
