On Sunday, October 19, thieves wearing balaclavas broke into Paris’ Louvre Museum. In the latest update on the Paris heist, newly released CCTV footage shows one of the robbers using a small chainsaw to cut open a glass display case inside the museum, giving a clearer look at how the daring theft unfolded. French authorities said that three men, who were pretending to be construction workers, entered the famous museum, stole jewels worth millions of dollars, and escaped — all in a matter of a few minutes. Keep reading for more details.
Heist At The Louvre Museum In Paris
Informations relatives au vol par effraction survenu ce dimanche 19 octobre au musée du Louvre. pic.twitter.com/Qb1G8Jgg1w
— Musée du Louvre (@MuseeLouvre) October 19, 2025
According to a French news channel called BFMTV, the CCTV showed a really shocking scene. In the video, a man wearing a yellow construction jacket and a black hoodie was cutting through the glass display case calmly, and didn’t panic even when the alarms were ringing loudly. The video stops before he leaves the gallery, but when the police investigated the scene later, they found a power saw (a Stihl TS 410) that the robber had left behind.
What thieves stole from the museum? As per The Financial Express, authorities revealed that robbers stole nine highly valuable artefacts from France’s Crown Jewels. Among the stolen pieces, one was a diamond-studded bodice bow. It once belonged to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The museum had valued this particular piece at over $10.5 million when it was acquired back in 2008.
The thieves also took an emerald necklace and earrings once owned by Marie-Louise, as well as diamond and sapphire jewellery sets belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense. One of the stolen items, which was a crown belonging to Empress Eugénie, was later found damaged near the gallery. Due to this incident, the museum remained closed for the day.
More About This Incident
In a statement, Paris magistrate Laure Beccuau confirmed the robbery and mentioned that the gang appeared highly prepared and organised. They managed to complete the entire heist in just ten minutes. After the incident, surveillance footage showed the robbers fleeing on two scooters heading toward the A6 highway, southeast of Paris. A third scooter was later discovered abandoned nearby, believed to have been used by the fourth member of the group.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the culprits will be caught soon and all stolen jewels will be recovered. In the ongoing investigation, authorities are working through museum footage and city cameras.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons