Authorities have not yet confirmed which items were taken from the Louvre in Paris on Sunday. However, here are some details about the treasures located in the targeted gallery.
The collection includes France’s crown jewels, featuring some of the most valuable diamonds globally.
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How did the thieves infiltrate the Louvre?
On Sunday morning, the thieves arrived near the Louvre along the Seine River. They used an extendable ladder to access an upper window leading to the Galerie d’Apollon, as per authorities.
What is the Galerie d’Apollon?
Following a fire in 1661 at the Louvre, Louis XIV commissioned architect Louis Le Vau to create the current gallery. The young king wanted it to reflect his sun emblem, so Le Vau designed it based on Apollo, the Greek sun god.
The result is a lavish hall of gold leaf and paintings that inspired the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, completed 20 years later.
Which exhibits are in the Galerie d’Apollon?
The gallery displays the “Côte de Bretagne” spinel, a red gemstone shaped like a dragon, once owned by Anne de Bretagne.
It also houses three significant diamonds formerly belonging to France’s deposed royalty.
The Regent, renowned worldwide, weighs 140.64 carats, with Sotheby’s valuing it over $60 million. The Louvre describes it as the finest diamond globally due to its clarity and cut.
The Hortensia, a pink diamond, was stolen in 1792 but recovered a month later after the thief, facing execution, disclosed its location.
Other notable pieces include Louis XV’s crown and Empress Eugenie’s crown, reportedly dropped by thieves during their escape.
The collection features the Duchess of Angoulême’s emerald and diamond tiara, gifted by Louis XVIII, and tiaras worn by Queen Hortense, Queen Marie-Amélie, and Isabelle of Orléans.
Additionally, it includes an emerald necklace from Napoleon to Marie-Louise for their wedding and Louis XIV’s hardstone vessel collection, comprising around 800 items.
