From using disc cutters to escaping on scooters: 5 little-known details about the Louvre robbery

While Money Heist may have been all the rage once upon a time, currently people are raging over a jewel heist . One that has shaken up the world-famous Louvre and would definitely rile up Napoleon to pick up his sword. From 1911 to 2025, the Louvre is one museum that has kept its long history of thefts and attempted robberies and over the years, robbers have changed their interest from paintings to jewels.

In a shocking incident, the museum in France reported a theft on Sunday morning, shutting down for the day. In a post shared on X (Formerly Twitter), Rachida Dati , France's culture minister said, "A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum." Below, find five little-known details about the robbery.

Eight objects were stolen including a sapphire diadem, necklace and single earring from a matching set linked to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense; an emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife; a reliquary brooch; Empress Eugénie’s diadem; and her large corsage-bow brooch

Entry via basket lifts
Gone are the days when a swift kick to the door or crawling through air vents was the way thieves entered the place of robbery. As per the Interior Minister Laurent Nunez , the crew of robbers entered from outside using a basket lift via the riverfront façade to reach the Apollon Gallery, where the Crown Diamonds are displayed. The theft happened between 9:30 and 9:40 local time, shortly after the museum opened to visitors.

A quick heist


Nunez also shared with France Inter radio that the robbery happened "very, very fast", in over less than seven minutes. Dati also told TF1, the French news outlet that the footage of the theft showed the masked robbers entering "calmly" and smashing display cases containing the jewels. She described the thieves as seemingly being "experienced" with a well-prepared plan.

Disc cutters break the glass
Of course there's been an upgrade to robbery tools, now they involve battery-powered disc cutters that help break the glass. According to the turn of events, two of the thieves threatened the guards who evacuated the premises and made use of disc cutters to cut through the glass panes. As per the culture ministry statement, the alarms sounded and staff followed protocol by contacting security and protecting visitors.

Hiding the evidence


Before fleeing the scene, the thieves allegedly tried to set the crane lift they used on fire, said the prosecutor's office. However, a museum worker stopped the attempt, said the culture ministry. Additionally, an image from the scene showed a vehicle-mounted ladder leading up to the first-floor window.

Fleeing through the lanes of Paris
Adding a touch of modernity to the entire saga was the grand exit planned by the four robbers. They made their escapes on scooters, weaving and escaping through the Parisian streets , avoiding car blockades and CCTV tracking.