The famous Louvre museum in Paris closed on Sunday after thieves brazenly stole priceless jewels in a daylight robbery.
The big picture: The bandits made off with loot that France's interior minister described as "priceless," per a translation, in a heist that lasted just around seven minutes.
Driving the news: Visitors were directed to evacuate the building. There were no injuries, but property of unknown value was stolen from a gallery that holds the French Crown Jewels.
- The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed in a statement provided to Axios that an investigation has been opened and that the damage is currently being assessed.
Here's what we know about the break-in and robbery:
When and how did the Louvre heist occur?
The break-in occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time, according to a statement from the Louvre.
- A group of "several" thieves used a lift on a truck to enter through a window into the Galerie d'Apollon, which holds a royal collection of hardstone vessels and the French Crown Jewels, the museum confirmed.
- They took jewelry from display cases before fleeing on motorcycles.
Zoom out: Laurent Nuñez, France's interior minister, told France Inter radio the robbery appeared to have been conducted by an experienced team of criminals.
The latest: The Paris prosecutor's office said in an update that at this stage in the investigation, it appears four people were involved, two of whom broke into the gallery room through a window.
- They allegedly covered their faces and carried angle grinders, the office said, and threatened museum guards.
- The thieves targeted two display cases. Two pieces of jewelry, including a crown belonging to Empress Eugénie, were recovered, seemingly abandoned as the perpetrators escaped.
What was stolen from the Louvre?
The museum said in a statement provided to Axios that a detailed list of stolen items is being compiled.
- "Beyond their market value, these items have inestimable heritage and historical value," the museum's statement said.
The intrigue: In addition to the crown jewels, the room hosts a collection of vessels carved from precious minerals, like jade and amethyst.
- This is not the first high-profile theft at the Louvre. In 1911, Leonardo da Vinci's world-famous Mona Lisa was snagged by a man who hid inside the museum.
- The painting was missing for two years and returned to the Louvre in January 1914 after the thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, attempted to sell the portrait in December 1913.
Go deeper: Mona Lisa attacked in apparent climate-related protest
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from the Paris prosecutor's office.
