A robbery was discovered this morning at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The news was announced by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, who is currently at the museum, which has been closed to allow police investigations to proceed. According to the information available so far, the perpetrators even used a crane and a chainsaw.

“A robbery occurred this morning as the Louvre Museum was opening. No injuries have been reported. I am on-site with the museum staff and the police. Investigations are underway,” Dati wrote on social media.

According to Le Parisien, the perpetrators were three individuals wearing hoods to conceal their identities.

They entered the building from the side facing the Seine, where construction work is being carried out. They used an elevator to reach directly the targeted room — the Gallery of Apollo.

After breaking the glass, two of them entered while the third remained outside. The thieves stole nine pieces from the jewelry collection of Napoleon and the Empress, including necklaces, a brooch, and a tiara.

According to a source from the Louvre, the famous Régent, the largest diamond in the collection weighing over 140 carats, was not stolen. The total damage has not yet been assessed.

Police are on the scene investigating the case.

The museum has been closed, and no injuries were reported as a result of the robbery.

The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world, with 9 million visitors in 2024 — 80% of whom were foreigners.