In an audacious heist, thieves infiltrated the Louvre museum in Paris, making off with invaluable jewelry before fleeing the scene on motorbikes. French authorities confirmed the incident on Sunday, leaving the city and art lovers worldwide in shock.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the break-in as a “major robbery,” noting its astonishingly brief duration of just seven minutes. In an interview with France Inter, Nuñez detailed how the culprits accessed the museum: “They used a basket lift to enter from the outside and employed a disc cutter to penetrate the glass displays safeguarding the precious items.”

The Ministry of the Interior announced that an investigation is underway, with efforts focused on cataloging the stolen pieces. “These items hold immeasurable heritage and historical significance, far beyond their market value,” the ministry emphasized in a statement.

In light of the incident, the Louvre announced on X that it would remain closed for the day due to “exceptional reasons.” Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the brazen theft.

Reports from the French newspaper Le Parisien suggest that the thieves gained access through a portion of the museum currently undergoing renovations along the Seine River.

As the investigation continues, police maintain a presence near the iconic Louvre pyramid, capturing the tense atmosphere following the robbery, as depicted in images taken by Reuters photographer Gonzalo Fuentes.

The crew reportedly used a freight elevator to access a room in the Apollo Gallery, which houses part of the French Crown Jewels.

Forensic police officers arrive at the Louvre museum after reports of a robbery, in Paris, France, Oct. 19, 2025. (Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes)

The crew stole “nine pieces from the jewelry collection of Napoleon and the Empress,” including a crown believed to have belonged to Empress Eugénie, the newspaper reported. The crown was later found broken outside the museum, the report said.

FILE – People walk outside the Louvre museum, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Paris. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

The Louvre houses over 33,000 works spanning antiquities, sculpture, and painting – from Mesopotamian artifacts and Egyptian relics to masterpieces by European artists. Its iconic treasures include the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.