Wed Oct 22 05:45:55 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

A brazen daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris resulted in the theft of royal jewels valued at over $100 million. The stolen items include a tiara and earrings once belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense. Thieves used a crane to break into the Apollo Gallery, home to France’s crown jewels, and made their escape on motorcycles within minutes. The heist has sparked outrage and highlighted security concerns at the Louvre, with critics pointing to budget cuts, delayed security upgrades, and a “worrying level of obsolescence” previously flagged by the museum’s director. The Louvre is set to reopen after a two-day closure for investigation, while authorities grapple with a series of recent museum thefts across France.

News Article:

Louvre Hit by $100 Million Jewel Heist, Security Concerns Explode

Paris, France – A daring daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum over the weekend has resulted in the theft of royal jewels estimated to be worth over $100 million. The audacious heist has ignited a firestorm of criticism over security protocols at the world-famous museum and broader concerns about museum security across France.

According to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, among the stolen items are a tiara and earrings from a set once owned by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense of the early 19th century. The crown of Empress Eugenie was recovered outside the museum, suggesting it was dropped by the fleeing thieves.

The robbery unfolded in broad daylight when four masked individuals used a crane to smash an upstairs window at the Apollo Gallery, home to France’s remaining crown jewels. The entire operation took just seven minutes, with the thieves reportedly escaping on motorcycles.

“It is important to remember that this damage is an economic damage, but it is nothing compared to the historical damage caused by this theft,” said prosecutor Beccuau.

The Louvre’s Director, Laurence des Cars, has remained publicly silent since the incident but is scheduled to appear before the French Senate’s culture committee on Wednesday. The heist has intensified scrutiny of the museum’s security measures, especially in light of recent warnings from Des Cars about the building’s “worrying level of obsolescence” and the urgent need for renovations.

Adding to the unease, the Louvre robbery follows a string of recent museum thefts across France. Just last month, the Natural History Museum in Paris was targeted, with thieves making off with over $1.5 million in gold nuggets. Also last month, thieves stole two dishes and a vase from a museum in the central city of Limoges, estimated at $7.6m.

French authorities have announced the arrest of a 24-year-old Chinese woman in connection with the Natural History Museum theft.

Reports from France’s Court of Auditors indicate a “persistent” delay in security upgrades at the Louvre, with only a quarter of one wing covered by video surveillance despite repeated warnings. Labour unions have also voiced concerns about staffing cuts in the security department, even as visitor numbers have soared. The Louvre is expected to reopen to the public on Wednesday after being closed for two days for investigation.

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