The Louvre began as a medieval fortress built by King Philippe Auguste in the late 12th century to protect Paris, but it gradually transformed into a royal palace and, eventually, the world’s most famous museum. In 1793, during the French Revolution, it officially opened to the public as a national museum dedicated to showcasing the nation’s masterpieces. Over the centuries it expanded through major architectural additions—including the Richelieu Wing and, most famously, I. M. Pei’s glass pyramid in 1989. Today, the Louvre houses over 35,000 works spanning ancient civilizations to the 19th century, symbolizing France’s cultural legacy and its evolution from royal stronghold to global art institution.
The Louvre Museum is the largest art museum in the world, by floor area and collection size, housing over 600,000 works of art. And the most visited art museum, receiving nearly 9 million visitors per year, averaging well over 20,000 visitors per day.
The Louvre has been robbed multiple times across its long history, but only a few major incidents are documented clearly. Based on reliable reporting and historical records, the museum has experienced at least three significant, widely recognized thefts, spanning more than a century.
The 3 known major arts thefts at the Louvre are;
The Mona Lisa Theft (1911)
The most famous robbery in Louvre history. Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian handyman, stole the Mona Lisa by hiding in the museum overnight and walking out with it under his coat. It was recovered two years later.
The Road From Sèvres (1998)
Before the 2025 heist, the last recorded art theft at the Louvre was in 1998, when the painting Le Chemin de Sèvres was stolen. Painted by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, in the 1850s. Every credible source confirms that the theft remains unsolved, and the Corot painting is still missing as of 2026.
The 2025 Crown Jewels Heist
On October 19, 2025, four thieves disguised as construction workers stole eight pieces of French Crown Jewels valued at about €88 million. It took them less than eight minutes and was the first Louvre robbery in 27 years. Remains unsolved as of this writing February 2026. Pictured below is the most valuable piece taken, was Empress Eugénie’s diamond‑and‑pearl diadem.
Written by Bruce Scher you can reach me at; rev.bruce@heistmuseum.org
http://www.heistmuseum.org
