The Parisian Louvre has once again found itself at the heart of a high-profile scandal. According to Le Parisien, police carried out a large-scale operation on Tuesday, 10 February, dismantling a fraud network that had been operating within the museum.

As reported by the newspaper, those detained include two Louvre employees, several tour guides, and the alleged mastermind behind the scheme. Investigators believe the group illegally generated more than €10 million, part of which was reportedly invested in real estate in France and Dubai.

How the Scheme Worked

According to preliminary findings, the perpetrators sold counterfeit tickets, arranged fictitious rebookings and resold guided tours while exceeding the officially permitted group sizes. The same tickets were used repeatedly for different visitors, and an additional fee was charged for «assistance» in entering the museum by bypassing official ticket counters.

French media report that Chinese tourists were often among the victims, having been actively recruited into such groups.

During the searches, law enforcement officers seized approximately €957,000 in cash, more than €486,000 in bank accounts, as well as three vehicles and other assets.

The investigation began after the Louvre filed an official complaint in December 2024, citing a «rise and diversification of ticket fraud». According to Agence France-Presse and Associated Press, the inquiry involved prolonged surveillance and wiretapping of suspects, which ultimately exposed the mechanics of the scheme.

Another Blow to the Museum’s Reputation

The incident marks yet another challenge to the museum’s reputation. In recent years, the Louvre has already made headlines over several high-profile incidents – including, in October 2025, its involvement in a case concerning the theft of French Crown jewels. The institution has also repeatedly faced staff strikes and criticism over working conditions and security systems.

Museum officials announced the launch of a structured anti-fraud program. It предусматривает tighter control over ticket sales, the implementation of legal, technical, and organizational measures, and regular monitoring of their effectiveness.

Photo: depositphotos

Following Sunday’s sensational robbery, the doors of the Louvre remain closed to visitors. The Paris Prosecutor’s Office is searching for four suspects and considering two main theories behind the crime — money laundering or a commissioned theft. Investigators have not ruled out foreign involvement, though, as they note, this hypothesis «is not a priority.»

Museum staff fear the worst — that the stolen jewelry may be melted down and the gemstones sold separately. Experts, however, believe there is still hope: if the pieces were taken on commission for a private collector who intends to keep them intact, the treasures might yet be recovered unharmed.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the incident as «an assault on the nation’s cultural heritage,» vowing that the state would do everything possible to retrieve the jewels and bring the perpetrators to justice.

«We will find these relics, and the criminals will face trial. The Paris Prosecutor’s Office is already taking all necessary measures,» he stated.

How the Robbery Unfolded

According to France’s Ministry of the Interior, on the morning of October 19, four burglars entered the museum through a construction site. Two of them, dressed in yellow work vests, used a lifting platform to reach a window, which they cut open with a circular saw. In this way, they gained access to the Galerie d’Apollon — home to the French Crown Jewels.

The thieves smashed several display cases and stole nine items before fleeing on scooters. One of the stolen objects — Empress Eugénie’s crown, adorned with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds — was later found near the Louvre. Though damaged, experts say it can be restored. It is believed the thieves dropped it while escaping.

The Interior Ministry reported that the entire operation lasted about seven minutes, while Minister of Culture Rachida Dati specified — no more than four. French media have already dubbed the event «the heist of the century,» pointing to persistent security issues at Paris’s leading museums.

Priceless Treasures

The exact value of the stolen items remains unknown. The French authorities have called them «priceless,» yet experts estimate that Empress Eugénie’s crown alone is worth tens of millions of euros — and it is not even the most valuable of the missing pieces.

Among the stolen artifacts were:

• The Sapphire Set — a tiara, necklace, and earrings created in the early 19th century. They were worn by several royal women, including Queen Marie Amélie of France and Queen Hortense of Holland. The tiara is adorned with 24 Ceylon sapphires and over a thousand diamonds.
• The Emerald Parure — a necklace and earrings crafted by court jeweler François-Rénaud Nitot for Marie-Louise of Austria, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife. The pieces feature 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds. The Louvre acquired this set in 2004 for $4.3 million.
• Empress Eugénie’s Jewels — two brooches and a pearl tiara belonging to the wife of Napoleon III. The tiara is set with 212 pearls and 1,998 diamonds. One brooch is made of silver, gold, and diamonds, while the other — a so-called «reliquary» — is adorned with 94 diamonds.

Curiously, the crime echoes a 1792 burglary, when thieves also broke into the Louvre through a shattered window. Moreover, October 2025 marks the centenary of the death of Vincenzo Peruggia — the infamous thief who, in 1911, famously smuggled the Mona Lisa out of the museum beneath his coat.

Photo: www.royalwatcherblog.com

The legendary 54-year-old supermodel Naomi Campbell made a special trip to Paris with her children. She visited the famous Louvre and shared new photos on her Instagram.

In the pictures, the model poses against the backdrop of the world-famous «Mona Lisa.» In addition, she posted a photo holding her children’s hands on the way to the museum, without revealing their faces.

«Spending a night at the Louvre has always been my dream. I’ve always wanted to share this moment with my loved ones and friends. It was an unforgettable event,» Campbell wrote in the post.

Recall that Naomi Campbell is a mother of two children born via surrogate. In 2021, she welcomed a daughter, and two years later, a son.

Photo: Instagram @naomi

On the eve of Paris Fashion Week, the iconic Louvre Museum hosted its first-ever Grand Dîner du Louvre, dedicated to the Louvre Couture exhibition, which merges haute couture with historical masterpieces.

Around a hundred legendary garments and accessories are displayed alongside decorative art pieces that continue to inspire designers.

The exhibition will run until July 21, 2025.

«This is truly the first time the Louvre has decided to create an exhibition dedicated to the relationship between fashion and its own collections», said Olivier Gabet, director of the Louvre’s Department of Decorative Arts, in an interview with WWD.

Many celebrities attended the event, including Anna Wintour, Gigi Hadid arm-in-arm with Jeremy Scott in a Moschino dress of his design, Carla Bruni in Dior, Kelly Rutherford in Vetements, Naomi Campbell, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and more.

All photos were taken by German Larkin.

Among the star-studded guests were the Beckhams. The couple made their appearance in a coordinated black-and-white ensemble. David wore a crisp white shirt paired with a black suit featuring satin lapels, while his wife opted for an elegant, minimalist look.

Victoria donned a closed-neck gown with a long train, complemented by delicate jewelry.

As a reminder, Victoria and David Beckham have been married since 1999. The couple shares four children: Harper, Cruz, Brooklyn, and Romeo.

Photo: Instagram @victoriabeckham, @museelouvre, @germanlarkin