The Louvre moved part of its jewellery collection to the Bank of France’s underground vaults after last week’s high-profile theft. French broadcaster RTL reported that police escorted the transfer on Friday as a safety measure.
The jewels included the “Crown Jewels” displayed in the Apollo Gallery and other valuable pieces from various museum wings. Officials carried out the operation discreetly, avoiding public attention.
The Bank of France’s vault, located 27 metres below its Paris headquarters, already holds 90% of the nation’s gold reserves. Museum leaders acted swiftly to prevent further losses following the shocking robbery that unsettled the country.
Thieves Execute Bold Six-Minute Robbery
Last week, several thieves carried out a brazen daylight break-in at the Louvre. They used a basket lift to reach a balcony leading to the Apollo Gallery, forced open a window, and smashed display cases to steal multiple jewels.
The gang escaped on two motorbikes after a robbery that lasted only six to seven minutes. Investigators estimated the stolen jewels’ value at 88 million euros, not counting their immense cultural and historical worth.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the heist shocked officials and security experts alike due to the museum’s supposedly high protection standards.
Outrage Mounts as France Faces Wave of Museum Heists
French lawmakers condemned the theft as a “national humiliation” and demanded immediate improvements to museum security. The incident reignited debates about chronic underfunding and insufficient surveillance at national heritage sites.
Officials at the Louvre had previously warned of security weaknesses caused by years of limited investment. The government now faces pressure to restore public trust and strengthen protection for national treasures.
Across Europe, museum robberies have become increasingly common. In France alone, at least four major cultural institutions have suffered similar thefts in recent months, raising urgent concerns about the safety of the continent’s artistic heritage.
