By Tangopaso - Self-photographed
French authorities have arrested two men in connection with the spectacular theft of crown jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris — one of the most audacious art heists in recent French history.
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, one of the suspects was detained at Charles de Gaulle Airport as he prepared to board a flight. The pair are believed to be linked to a gang that stole priceless artefacts worth an estimated €88 million (£76 million; $102 million) during a broad-daylight break-in last Sunday.
Officials said the arrests were made on Saturday evening but did not specify the total number of people currently in custody.
Suspects Planned to Flee to Algeria and Mali
Police sources told French media that one of the suspects was attempting to travel to Algeria, while the other was preparing to depart for Mali.
Specialist investigators are now questioning both men under French anti-organised crime procedures, which allow detention for up to 96 hours before charges must be brought.
Reports suggest that DNA evidence collected at the scene helped investigators identify one of the suspects. Forensic teams reportedly discovered traces of genetic material on gloves and a high-visibility jacket discarded by the thieves.
Thieves Used Power Tools and a Lift in Daylight Raid
The heist, which shocked France and the global art community, took place around 09:30 (08:30 GMT) — shortly after the Louvre opened its doors to the public.
Four thieves reportedly arrived in a vehicle equipped with a mechanical lift, which they used to access a first-floor balcony leading to the Galerie d’Apollon (Gallery of Apollo), a room overlooking the River Seine that houses the museum’s most valuable jewels.
Pictures from the scene showed a ladder positioned against the wall beneath a window that had been cut open with power tools. Once inside, two members of the gang are said to have threatened security guards, prompting an evacuation.
The thieves then smashed through the glass of two display cases and seized several crown jewels and ornaments — including items that once belonged to Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III. One of her crowns was reportedly dropped during the escape.
Security Failures Under Scrutiny
France’s justice minister has admitted that existing security protocols at the Louvre “failed,” calling the theft a “terrible image” for the nation.
A preliminary inquiry revealed that one in three rooms in the raided section of the museum had no CCTV coverage. The Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars, told French senators that the only camera covering the building’s exterior wall was pointed away from the crucial balcony entry point.
Des Cars also acknowledged that the museum’s perimeter surveillance system was “weak” and “ageing,” which allowed the thieves to enter and exit undetected for several minutes.
Four-Minute Operation and a Clean Getaway
French police said the gang executed the robbery with precision. They entered at 09:34 and exited by 09:38, escaping on two waiting scooters parked near the museum.
Witnesses described hearing loud noises from the Gallery of Apollo, but the suspects were already gone when police arrived. Investigators are now reviewing footage from nearby streets and river cameras in hopes of tracing their route.
Prosecutors Condemn Leak of Case Details
The Paris prosecutor’s office criticised what it called the “premature disclosure” of details about the ongoing investigation, warning that leaks could undermine efforts to recover the stolen jewels and locate the remaining suspects.
Authorities are also coordinating with Interpol and customs officials in several European countries in case the stolen items are moved across borders.
Experts Warn Jewels May Be Lost Forever
Art crime specialists fear that the stolen pieces may already have been dismantled. Dutch art detective Arthur Brand told the BBC that the jewels could be “broken down into hundreds of smaller components.”
“Gold and silver can be melted down, and gems can be recut into new stones,” Brand said. “Once that happens, tracing them back to the Louvre robbery will be virtually impossible.”
France Tightens Security at Cultural Institutions
In the wake of the heist, France has ramped up security at its major museums and heritage sites. Additional guards have been deployed, and emergency reviews of camera systems and alarm networks are under way.
The Louvre has also taken new measures to safeguard its most valuable treasures. Some of its remaining crown jewels have been transferred to the Bank of France for safekeeping.
Officials said the items are now stored in the Bank’s most secure vault — 26 metres (85 feet) below ground level — within its historic headquarters in central Paris.
A Stain on the Louvre’s Reputation
The Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, had already faced criticism over its security systems in recent years. The latest incident has sparked a nationwide debate over whether France’s cultural institutions are adequately protected.
“This theft is a humiliation for France,” one senior law enforcement official told Le Monde. “It shows how vulnerable even our most secure national treasures can be.”
As the investigation continues, authorities hope that forensic breakthroughs and international cooperation will lead to the recovery of the missing jewels — and prevent a repeat of one of the most embarrassing museum robberies in modern French history.
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