PARIS and LONDON — The Louvre Museum in Paris mentioned it will stay closed on Sunday for “distinctive causes,” as two French ministers mentioned an investigation was underway right into a theft.
“A theft passed off this morning on the opening of the Louvre Museum,” French Minister of Tradition Rachida Dati mentioned on social media.
Dati added, “No accidents to report. I’m on web site alongside the museum groups and the police. Investigations underway.”
French cops examine an alleged theft on the Louvre Museum, on Quai Francois Mitterrand, in Paris on Oct. 19, 2025.
Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP through Getty Pictures
French Inside Minister Laurent Nunez in an interview on native radio mentioned a number of gadgets have been taken from the museum, including that their worth can be “inestimable.”
At the very least three suspects appeared to have been concerned, Nunez mentioned, including that some or all appeared to have entered the Apollon Gallery and to have taken jewels. He mentioned they appeared to have used a building ladder to enter or exit the constructing.
The alleged theft took about seven minutes, he mentioned. The suspects then fled on bikes, he mentioned.
Cops stand close to the pyramid of the Louvre museum after studies of a theft, in Paris, France, Oct. 19, 2025.
Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
A notification posted on the museum’s web site mentioned, “The Louvre Museum will stay closed right this moment for distinctive causes. We thanks on your understanding.”
Kaci Benedetti, who was visiting Paris from the USA, advised ABC Information she was standing in line to enter the museum on Sunday when a commotion started. Police have been working alongside the courtyard the place Benedetti and her household have been ready, she mentioned.
Forensic cops arrive on the Louvre museum after studies of a theft, in Paris, France, Oct. 19, 2025.
Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
She watched because the officers tried to enter the constructing by means of a facet door, however “couldn’t as a result of they have been locked,” she mentioned.
“We might see folks inside working and a few have been banging on the glass doorways to get out, however couldn’t as a result of they have been locked,” Benedetti mentioned. “Then police and navy police arrived. After about an hour they introduced the Louvre was closed for right this moment.”
