The Louvre has experienced the robbery of the century, the most notorious since the disappearance of the Mona Lisa in 1911. The incident once again raises the question: how safe are French museums and are their treasures protected from modern-day criminal gangs?
Seven minutes for a daring theft
Sunday at the Apollo Gallery began with an alarm. The group of thieves, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, acted like true professionals. They knew exactly what they wanted, had scouted the premises beforehand and acted quickly: seven minutes and the loot was in their hands.
A lorry with a lifting platform, similar to those used by companies to transport goods, stopped outside.
The thieves climbed on the ground floor window and got inside with the help of a bolt cutter. The door was not needed. The alarm went off, but the organised work of the criminals prevented them from being caught.
What exactly was stolen
Inside the gallery, they made their way to two display cases containing the remains of French royal treasures.
Most of the regalia had been lost or sold after the Revolution of 1789, but some had survived or been returned to the museum.
Showcases display 19th century items belonging to the imperial dynasties of Napoleon and his nephew Napoleon III.
According to authorities, the thieves stole eight items: tiaras, necklaces, earrings and brooches. They once belonged to Empress Marie-Louise, Queen Hortense, Queen Marie-Amelie and Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.
The latter’s crown was found damaged near the museum – apparently thieves threw it in a hurry.
Photo courtesy of the Louvre
Photo courtesy of the Louvre
Author of the photo, Louvre
Author of the photo, Louvre
Author of the photo, Louvre
Author photo, Louvre
The Ministry of Culture said the museum staff followed protocol: the alarm system went off, security was called and visitors were safe
According to the agency, the criminals tried to set fire to their car on the street, but this was prevented by a museum employee.
The gallery where the robbery took place is located just a few steps away from the world’s most famous paintings – in particular, the “Mona Lisa”. target world-famous canvases, which are difficult to sell or exhibit publicly.
It is much more profitable to choose things that can be quickly turned into money. Jewellery comes first.
Regardless of their historical value, crowns and tiaras are easy to take apart and sell individually. Even large famous diamonds can be cut.
While the final sum for the pieces may not match the value of the original piece, it will still be significant.
Photo provided by the Louvre
There have been warnings
Recent thefts from French museums have shown that gangs are getting bolder.
In September, €600,000 worth of mineralised gold was stolen from the Natural History Museum in Paris. It was probably easily resold on the black market.
In the same month, 6 million euros worth of porcelain was stolen from the Limoges museum – probably on the order of a foreign buyer.
Thousands of masterpieces need protection
Minister Nunez has admitted: French museums are vulnerable.
There are thousands of famous paintings in the Louvre and just as many lesser-known but important exhibits.
For 230 years, there have been few thefts – thanks to strict security. The last case of disappearance was Camille Corot’s 1998 painting “The Road to Sèvres”.
But the most famous case is the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911. Then the thief hid in the closet all night, took the painting out of the frame, wrapped it in a dressing gown and quietly left the museum.
He was an Italian nationalist who wanted to return the masterpiece to his homeland. The painting did not return to the Louvre until 1914.
In this case, it is unlikely to expect such a happy outcome. If scientists and law enforcement agencies can not quickly catch the thieves, their first task will be to dismantle the gems and sell them in pieces. For professionals, this will not be a big problem.