Panic gripped visitors at the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris following reports of robbery on Sunday. The incident sparked immediate fear among visitors and staff, leading to the prompt evacuation of the museum premises as security forces rushed to secure the area. France’s culture minister Rachida Dati confirmed the theft that took place at the museum.
“A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the @MuseeLouvre. No injuries to report. I am on site alongside the museum teams and the police. Investigations underway,” Dati wrote on X. The French interior ministry also confirmed that the jewellery was stolen during the robbery and the museum has been closed following the incident.
Un braquage a eu lieu ce matin à l’ouverture du @MuseeLouvre. Pas de blessés à déplorer. Je suis sur place aux cotés des équipes du musée et de la police. Constatations en cours.
— Rachida Dati ن (@datirachida) October 19, 2025
About The Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum, located in the heart of Paris, is one of the world’s largest and most famous art museums. Home to thousands of priceless artworks, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo, the Louvre attracts millions of visitors each year. Its historic palace setting and vast collection make it a global cultural landmark and a symbol of French heritage. It is a national art museum in Paris, and one of the most famous museums in the world.
The Louvre is owned by the French government. However, since the 1990s, its management and governance have been made more independent. The museum is housed in the historic Louvre Palace, originally constructed between the late 12th and 13th centuries under King Philip I. Interestingly, remnants of the Medieval Louvre fortress are visible in the basement of the museum, highlighting French history and architectural heritage.
The Louvre museum officially opened on 10 August 1793, showcasing an exhibition of 537 paintings. Most of these works were owned by royalty and confiscated church property. It was closed from 1796 until 1801 due to structural problems with the building.
What Makes It Iconic?
The Museum exhibits approximately 38,000 objects spanning from prehistory to the 21st century across a vast area of 72,735 square meters (782,910 square feet), making it the largest museum in the world. According to reports, in 2024, the museum welcomed 8.7 million visitors, solidifying its status as the most-visited art museum and the most-visited museum of any kind worldwide.
Apart from famous artworks, the museum also displays pieces from ancient civilisations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Additionally, it also features collections of decorative arts, Islamic art, sculptures, and Egyptian antiquities.
Since its reopening after World War II in 1946, the Louvre has been closed to the public every Tuesday, remaining open the rest of the week except for certain holidays. The two nearest metro stations to the Museum are Louvre-Rivoli and Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre. The use of cameras and video recorders is permitted inside; however, flash photography is forbidden.
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