In broad daylight and without a care in the world, who would think that the world’s most popular museum – the Louvre – could be robbed? Well, we arrive at a situation now where France is not only missing some priceless royal jewelry, but is also questioning the robustness and strength of its entire cultural security.
A Shocking Ending to a Day Where Nothing Shocking Happened for Six or Seven Minutes
Six or seven minutes were all it took for four thieves to possibly make history — not the type of history displayed in a museum for everyone to contemplate and discuss, but rather the type of history that shakes a nation to the core. There was no guns, no violence, and there were no threats — only a clear protocol and procedure of some thieves, two of which were seen wearing white linen. The thieves used a crane truck, scaled the upper level, broke a window, and stole multiple pieces of jewelry that belonged to French royalty.
Once everything settled the Louvre was on lockdown. Both tourists and Parisians crowded outside of the museum to take pictures as evidence of the bizarre reality that had overtaken everyone’s visit to the museum and in the museum, there were locks engaged on doors and barriers in place to close the museum to anyone else from entering. One local, Victor Sauvageot, mentioned, “This is not a proud day for France but it’ll be a day we’ll remember.”
The Consequences of the Before
Outrage was already into the air before investigators had begun to grasp what had happened. Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin said simply: “We were wrong.” Darmanin questioned how a heavy crane was able to park freely in the core of Paris, and how the most secured, and monitored site in France, and its treasures were stolen without gunfire or alarm.
During an emergency meeting the Minister of Culture and Minister of Interior came to the conclusion, this was theft, but ultimately a wake-up call. France will re-evaluate security for every museum and cultural site in France, not just Louvre.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati was clear about the message: “We protected the people who visited the treasures, not really the treasures. On her watch, she will provide urgency and remove bureaucratic hurdles to improve security.
The Priceless and the Missing.
Some of the missing items included a tiara and earrings that belonged to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense during the early 1800s. The police found the only crown that belonged to Empress Eugénie just outside of the museum; in all likelihood, she dropped it while fleeing the museum. The remaining 8 historic artifacts are still missing.
Art recovery specialist Christopher Marinello called the theft, “a loud warning to every museum on the planet!” He added that if the Louvre can be broken into, then no museum is safe.
The World Responds – Shock and Disbelief.
Visitors were in a state of shock. “A museum like this should have perfect security. I cannot believe this happened,” said U.S. tourist Maryanne Day.
There was a tidal wave of theories and a barrage of memes all over social media, some suggesting it was a scene from a Netflix heist series, others questioned whether the French government was accountable.
There is an element of irony here: the Louvre, a museum that survived revolutions, wars and centuries of the past, was outwitted by a group with a crane and a few plans in the age of technology.
The French government guarantees they will restore the jewels to their rightful home, but the takes are much higher than a few lost diamonds. As one politician said, “the Louvre is not only a building, it is part of us, and this was not just stealing, it was humiliation.”
Whatever the outcome of the jewels, what we know for sure is this: Paris has been reminded it is vulnerable, even with their most precious possessions, and that may be the bitterest pill to swallow.
