Louvre jewel heist shocks France: Macron vows to find the thieves

Paris was shaken by a historic theft as nine pieces of priceless Napoleonic jewelry were stolen from the world-famous Louvre Museum. French President Emmanuel Macron called the heist an assault on the nation’s cultural memory, vowing that the stolen artifacts will be recovered. “We will find the works and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said, adding that all resources had been mobilized under the supervision of the Paris prosecutor’s office.

Macron: An attack on our history and heritage

In a post shared on social media, Macron condemned the incident, calling it an attack on France’s cultural identity.

“The theft committed at the Louvre Museum is an attack on our heritage, which we value because it is part of our history. We will find the works and bring the perpetrators to justice. Under the leadership of the Paris prosecutor’s office, all resources have been mobilized to achieve this,” he wrote.

Macron also highlighted the “Louvre New Renaissance” project, launched in January, which includes measures to strengthen museum security. “This project will guarantee the preservation of the elements that form our memory and culture,” he noted.

Among the stolen items: the Empress’s crown

Nine pieces of historic jewelry were reported stolen from the museum. French media said one of the missing items — the crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III — was found broken outside the museum. The whereabouts of the remaining jewels remain unknown.

Experts have described the theft as not only a material loss but a symbolic blow to France’s cultural legacy, emphasizing that these jewels are irreplaceable pieces of national history.

A museum with a history of daring thefts

The Louvre has faced notorious art crimes in the past — most famously, the theft of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” in 1911. The painting was recovered two years later in Italy, but the episode remains one of the most dramatic museum heists in history.

The latest incident has once again raised questions about security at the world’s most visited museum.

France reinforces cultural protection efforts

The “New Renaissance” initiative aims to enhance the protection of cultural heritage across France, introducing tighter security systems, digital tracking, and new preservation measures. The government sees the protection of historical artifacts as a matter of national pride.

Officials say the Louvre heist will accelerate efforts to secure museums and safeguard France’s cultural memory for future generations.