The Louvre is stripped bare. The museum remains closed after Sunday's theft

The Louvre management announced on Facebook and its website that due to the theft, the museum will remain closed on Monday. On Sunday morning, eight crown jewels were boldly stolen from one of the galleries of a Parisian museum.

“Following the theft that occurred at the Louvre yesterday, the museum sadly has to inform you that it will remain closed to visitors today. Visitors who purchased a ticket will receive a full refund,” the management said.

France's culture ministry said Sunday morning that eight priceless jewels had been stolen from the Galerie d'Apollon. Among them is the tiara of Empress Eugenie (wife of Napoleon III) decorated with 2,000. diamonds and two necklaces. The perpetrators lost or abandoned Empress Eugenie's crown during their escape.

The thieves used a lift on a truck, which allowed them to enter the Louvre building through a balcony window. They used cutters to remove the jewels from the display case. The daily “Le Parisien” reported that two perpetrators, wearing reflective vests, pretended to be workers. The perpetrators placed warning cones near the lift. One of the passersby alerted the police. The burglars drove away on scooters. The spectacular robbery lasted – according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs – seven minutes.

About the theft, which took place around 9.30, the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, was the first to announce. Her ministry in a statement described the break-in as “particularly quick and brutal,” AFP reported. (PAP)

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