Core Points - A significant armed robbery occurred at the Louvre Museum on October 19, where thieves disguised as construction workers used a lift to enter the museum and stole several valuable jewels within seven minutes [3][4][10] - The stolen items included pieces from the collection of Napoleon and Empress Eugénie, with some jewels already recovered, including the damaged crown of Empress Eugénie [10][11] Group 1: Incident Details - The robbery involved three to four suspects who entered the museum using a lift and quickly executed the theft [4][7] - The suspects arrived at the Louvre at 9:30 AM, and the alarm was triggered at 9:37 AM, indicating a swift operation [7][8] - Tools such as cutting machines and a torch were found at the scene, suggesting a planned and organized approach to the crime [7][11] Group 2: Recovery and Investigation - Some stolen jewels have been recovered, including the crown of Empress Eugénie, which features 1,354 diamonds and other precious stones [10][11] - The Paris Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the case, focusing on organized gang theft and conspiracy to commit a crime [11] - The investigation is being led by the Paris Judicial Police and is receiving support from the Central Office for the Fight Against Cultural Property Trafficking [11] Group 3: Historical Context - This incident marks the third theft at a French museum in two months, highlighting a concerning trend in museum security [14][15] - The Louvre has a history of thefts, with notable past incidents including the theft of a painting in 1998 and the famous "Mona Lisa" in 1911 [15]

Core Points - A significant armed robbery occurred at the Louvre Museum on October 19, where thieves disguised as construction workers used a lift to access the museum and stole several valuable jewels in approximately seven minutes [1][3][5] - The French Interior Minister confirmed the incident as a major armed robbery, with police actively pursuing the suspects [3][5] - Some stolen jewels have been recovered, including the crown of Empress Eugénie, which is adorned with 1,354 diamonds, 1,136 rose-cut gems, and 56 emeralds [7] Incident Details - The robbery involved three to four suspects who entered the museum using a lift and cut through glass to access the Apollo Gallery [5][6] - The suspects arrived at the Louvre at 9:30 AM, triggering an alarm by 9:37 AM, and escaped via motorcycle shortly after [5][6] - The duration of the robbery is debated, with some reports suggesting it was completed in under four minutes [5][7] Security Concerns - The incident has raised significant concerns regarding museum security, prompting the Louvre's management to request a security assessment from the Paris police prior to the robbery [11] - This robbery marks the third theft in French museums within two months, highlighting a potential trend of targeted attacks on cultural institutions [11][12] Historical Context - The Apollo Gallery, where the robbery took place, is a significant exhibition space for royal jewels and has been recently renovated to enhance security [8][10] - The Louvre has a history of thefts, including the famous 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, which was not recovered for three years [13]