The arrests mark a major breakthrough in an investigation that has
gripped France and shocked the global art world.
By Riley Bennett, Paris — October 26, 2025
PARIS, France — French authorities have
arrested two men accused of orchestrating a daring jewelry heist at the Louvre
Museum, where thieves stole royal treasures worth over $100 million in just
seven minutes on October 19.
Swift Arrests Following Intensive Manhunt
Officials confirmed that the Paris Banditry Repression Brigade (BRB) and
the Central Office for the Fight against Trafficking in Cultural Goods (OCBC)
jointly conducted the arrests late Saturday.
One suspect was detained at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport while
attempting to board a flight to Algeria around 10 p.m. local time.
The second was captured shortly afterward at an apartment in northern
Paris.
Investigators believe at least four individuals participated in the
audacious burglary.
The Heist that Shocked Paris
The thieves, disguised as construction workers in yellow vests, used
chainsaws and angle grinders to breach a restricted gallery within minutes of
the museum’s morning opening.
They escaped on scooters, carrying eight jewels of immense historical
value linked to France’s monarchy and imperial past.
Authorities say the theft occurred between 9 a.m. and 9:07 a.m., leaving
security personnel little time to respond.
Treasures of French Royalty
- Among the missing artifacts were:
- A sapphire tiara and matching necklace worn by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
- A single sapphire earring and a “reliquary brooch”
- A pair of emerald earrings and a necklace once belonging to Marie-Louise, Napoleon’s second wife
- A tiara and large brooch owned by Empress Eugénie
The pieces were part of a rare royal jewelry exhibition, many loaned
from France’s national collection.
Museum Closure and Public Shock
France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati ordered the immediate closure of
the Louvre after the robbery, describing it as “an attack on France’s cultural
heritage.”
Visitors were evacuated while police sealed off entrances and forensic
teams scoured the site.
“It is a profound loss not only in economic terms but to the heritage of
the French Republic,” Dati said in a statement.
Damage and Recovery Efforts
According to police, one of the stolen tiaras was later found damaged
outside the museum, possibly dropped during the getaway.
The Louvre has since transferred its remaining jewels to the Bank of
France for safekeeping while the investigation continues.
Suspects Linked to Seine-Saint-Denis
Both arrested men are believed to be from Seine-Saint-Denis, a northern
Paris suburb known for organized gang activity.
Investigators suspect the same group has ties to previous art and luxury
thefts across Europe.
“The precision and timing of the operation suggest professional planning
and insider knowledge,” a BRB official told Le Parisien.
Global Reaction and Cultural Impact
The theft has sparked international outrage and renewed debate over
museum security.
Cultural heritage experts say the loss extends beyond monetary value to
national identity and historical memory.
Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau emphasized the symbolic damage:
“This is economic damage, but it is nothing compared to the historical
damage caused by this theft.”
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities continue to search for the remaining two suspects and
recover the missing artifacts.
Interpol has been alerted in case the jewels surface on the
international black market.
The Louvre’s security procedures are also under review following
criticism of delayed alarm response times and staff shortages.
Broader Security Concerns
This incident follows a string of high-profile art thefts in Europe,
including jewel heists in Venice (2024) and Madrid (2023).
Experts warn that criminal networks are increasingly targeting cultural
institutions for high-value items with low traceability.
Economic and Cultural Aftermath
France’s Ministry of Culture estimates that the recovery and security
upgrades could cost millions of euros.
Tourism officials say the Louvre will reopen in phases once security
reinforcements are complete.
“The Louvre is a symbol of France itself, and we will protect it as
such,” Dati told reporters.
By Riley Bennett, CRN Times Newsroom
Date: 26 October 2025 – 12:49 GMT