This month… Seven Minutes Turned Paris Upside Down.

At dawn on Sunday, October 19, 2025, Paris awoke to unprecedented news: the Louvre Museum, an icon of art and history at the heart of the French capital, had turned into the scene of a crime that shocked global public opinion. In an operation that lasted no more than seven minutes, three masked thieves stormed the “Apollo Gallery,” home to the remnants of France’s royal jewels, seizing nine rare pieces before disappearing on a motorcycle.

According to preliminary investigations, the thieves arrived around 9:30 a.m., at a time crowded with visitors. They used a mechanical ladder similar to those used for moving furniture to upper floors, which allowed them to breach a side window overlooking the Seine. Armed with small chainsaws, they smashed the glass cases and carefully selected what they wanted.

No physical assaults were reported, but the impact of the crime was akin to a cultural slap in the face for France and the world.

The French Interior Ministry described the stolen items as being of “incalculable value,” not only for their material worth but also for their historical symbolism. The Apollo Gallery houses what remains of the French crown jewels after the Revolution, along with artifacts linked to Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor Napoleon III, and their wives.

Among the most valuable pieces were three famous diamonds: “The Regent,” “The Sancy,” and “The Hortensia.” Their fate remains shrouded in mystery.

The Louvre was abruptly closed, leaving thousands of tourists and locals bewildered at its gates, as police and forensic teams swarmed the premises. Roads adjacent to the Seine were cordoned off, and the museum’s square turned into a scene of collective shock.

Videos on social media captured moments of confusion, with some visitors asked to remain inside until security procedures were completed.

The Paris prosecutor’s office announced the opening of an investigation on charges of “organized theft and criminal conspiracy,” supported by a specialized unit against artifact trafficking. While the scenario recalls Hollywood films, it also exposes serious security flaws in what is supposed to be the most heavily guarded cultural landmark in France.

Today, the world faces a new enigma: how could three men, in just seven minutes, challenge the security system of a museum as vast as the Louvre?

Did inside support aid the operation, or was it merely a perfectly orchestrated mafia-style heist?

As investigations continue, the biggest question remains: will these jewels return to their place under the Louvre’s roof, or has Paris lost part of its memory forever?