In the wake of a jaw-dropping daylight robbery that stunned the art world, the Louvre Museum has quietly transferred some of its most valuable jewels to the ultra-secure vaults of the Bank of France. French radio network RTL reported that the move took place on Friday under tight police supervision, following the shocking theft that has raised questions about the museum’s security systems.The jewels, part of the Louvre’s legendary Apollo Gallery, which houses France’s crown jewels — were discreetly escorted to the central bank located just 500 metres away from the museum. The Bank of France, known for storing the nation’s gold reserves 27 metres below ground, is one of the most secure sites in the country.
A plywood board covers the window where thieves entered the Louvre museum the day before to steal historic jewels, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Paris. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
Neither the Louvre nor the Bank of France immediately responded to a Reuters request for comment.The heist itself was nothing short of cinematic. On October 19, four masked thieves reportedly used a crane to smash a second-floor window during the museum’s operating hours and made off with eight priceless pieces, estimated to be worth around $102 million. They fled on motorbikes before security personnel could intervene. The daring nature of the robbery, unfolding in broad daylight at the world’s most visited museum, has left France reeling. For many, it’s not just a crime but a national embarrassment.The Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars, has publicly acknowledged that security systems failed to detect the burglars in time. Facing mounting criticism, she told French senators that she had even offered to resign. However, Culture Minister Rachida Dati declined her resignation amid ongoing investigations and public outrage.“Despite our efforts, despite our hard work every day, we were defeated,” Des Cars told a Senate committee, as quoted by Reuters.The brazenness of the theft has baffled both the public and law enforcement. How could four hooded men pull up to the Louvre, right in the heart of Paris, break a reinforced window, and make off with jewels of immense cultural value without being intercepted?“We did not detect the thieves’ arrival early enough,” Des Cars admitted, citing blind spots in the museum’s surveillance system. She explained that several parts of the Louvre’s vast exterior were not covered by CCTV, including the very window the thieves targeted.The revelation has sparked widespread calls for reform. Des Cars has since vowed to overhaul the museum’s security protocols, from expanding camera coverage to introducing no-parking zones around the perimeter. She has also requested the interior ministry to establish a permanent police station within the museum’s premises.
Police officers look for clues by a basket lift used by thieves Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 at the Louvre museum in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
“The warnings I had been sounding came horribly true last Sunday,” she said, referring to repeated alerts about the Louvre’s ageing security infrastructure.While investigations continue, the relocation of the crown jewels to the Bank of France underscores how seriously officials are now treating the threat. The central bank’s subterranean vaults, buried deep beneath Paris, have long been considered impenetrable, a fortress within a fortress.Meanwhile, global reaction to the theft has ranged from disbelief to concern over how such an iconic cultural institution could be left so vulnerable. Social media erupted with shock, with some comparing the heist to scenes straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster. But behind the glamour of the crime lies a sobering truth, the Louvre, symbol of France’s cultural pride, now faces the monumental task of restoring public trust and safeguarding its treasures for generations to come.