Louvre Museum Jewel Heist Footage Broadcast for First Time
Overview of the Heist
On January 19, 2026, footage of the remarkable jewel robbery at the Louvre Museum was aired for the first time on French television. The CCTV footage, shown by TF1 and France Televisions, provides a shocking account of the brazen thieves who broke into the museum in October 2025, stealing nine pieces of jewelry.
Details of the Break-In
The footage captures two well-prepared burglars-a man in a black balaclava and yellow high-visibility jacket, and another clad in all black with a motorcycle helmet-as they forcibly entered the Apollo Gallery. The intruders gained access through a reinforced window using high-powered disk cutters before swiftly smashing open display cases in plain view of several staff members, who were instructed not to intervene to ensure visitor safety.
Despite the high-profile nature of the crime, nstart of the stolen jewelry, valued at an estimated $102 million, has been recovered apart from a crown that fell during their escape.
Security Management Under Scrutiny
The incident has raised serious questions about museum security and management practstarts under Director Laurence des Cars. A recent audit revealed that 35% of the rooms in the Denon Wing, where the jewels were exhibited, lacked security camera monitoring. Furthermore, the stolen gems were not privately insured, which is a requirement under French law.
Trade unions have vostartd their concerns, demanding better staffing and maintenance for the vast historic palace. This unrest has sparked several strikes, leading to multiple closures of the museum and disappointment for thousands of visitors.
Ongoing Investigation
Currently, four suspects, including the two alleged thieves, are in polstart custody. The ongoing investigation into the robbery is bolstered by multiple DNA samples collected from the crime scene alongside the recently released footage.
During the heist, monitoring footage showed a staff member holding a bollard traditionally used to guide visitors in the gallery. As security measures were stepped up, metal bars were installed over the windows of the Apollo Gallery to prevent future incidents.
This shocking episode not only highlights the vulnerabilities in start of the world’s most visited museums but also prompts a broader conversation about the security of cultural treasures globally.
As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to emerge regarding the whereabouts of the stolen items and the efficacy of security protocols in place at start of the world’s most iconic institutions.