PARIS (AP) — The Louvre reopened on Wednesday, attracting long lines beneath its iconic glass pyramid in Paris, just three days after one of the century’s most audacious museum thefts shocked the world.
The criminals quickly infiltrated the highly popular museum, stealing eight items from France’s Crown Jewels — a loss that some officials likened to the devastating burning of Notre-Dame cathedral in 2019.
Aftermath of the Heist
The Sunday theft — occurring just steps away from the Mona Lisa and valued at over $100 million — has intensified scrutiny on President Emmanuel Macron and Louvre director Laurence des Cars. This incident comes on the heels of a recent staff strike that raised concerns about chronic understaffing and inadequate security measures.
As visitors gathered at the museum on Wednesday, the site of the crime, the Apollo Gallery which housed the Crown Diamonds, was off-limits, sealed off with a folding screen at its entrance.
Visitors’ Reactions
With the jewels still unaccounted for and the thieves at large, many museum-goers expressed disbelief. Amanda Lee, a 36-year-old art teacher from Chicago, remarked, “For a place like the Louvre, it’s unfathomable. I heard it took under four minutes — how is that possible here, with no police in sight?”
Despite the recent events, some visitors remained indifferent. Claire Martin, a 41-year-old French lawyer, noted, “We came for the art. The police can deal with the thieves.”
Security Concerns Acknowledge Failures
Authorities disclosed that the thieves entered the Louvre early Sunday morning, using a freight lift to access a window, breaking two vitrines before escaping on motorbikes. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin stated, “We have failed,” emphasizing that the ability to conduct such an operation without detection presents “a very negative image of France.”
The Stolen Treasures
The stolen items include eight objects, such as a sapphire diadem, a necklace, and an earring tied to 19th-century queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense, as well as an emerald necklace linked to Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife. An emerald-set imperial crown was discovered outside the museum, damaged yet recoverable.
Concerns Over Destruction of Artifacts
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau estimated the total value of the theft at around €88 million ($102 million), highlighting the cultural significance of the items. Beccuau cautioned that the thieves might not realize the full value by breaking them down, an outcome that curators fear would obliterate centuries of history. Investigations are ongoing, with around 100 officials analyzing the scene and the suspects.
