Louvre Heist Footage Shows Stolen Crown Jewels in Parking Garage

New Surveillance Footage Reveals Stolen Louvre Crown Jewels in Underground Parking

French broadcaster BFMTV has obtained exclusive surveillance footage showing the stolen Louvre crown jewels being handled in an underground parking garage shortly after the spectacular October 2025 heist. The images, captured by security cameras in Aubervilliers, a northern suburb of Paris, provide crucial new evidence in the ongoing investigation into the €88 million robbery.

The Parking Garage Footage

The footage shows two suspects arriving at the underground parking facility around 10:30 AM on October 19, approximately one hour after the daring museum robbery. Both individuals kept their motorcycle helmets on as they examined items from a black bag. 'We can clearly see them handling what appears to be the tiara of Empress Eugénie, though it doesn't seem to be intact,' a BFMTV investigator reported. The images also show loose gemstones being examined by the suspects.

Later that morning, around 11:20 AM, a white van entered the same parking garage. Surveillance footage shows the scooters used in the heist being parked in storage boxes. When police later searched these boxes, they were empty.

The Daring Louvre Heist

The October 19 robbery at the Louvre Museum was executed with military precision. Four thieves disguised as construction workers used a furniture lift to access the Apollo Gallery, where they smashed two heavily secured display cases and stole eight priceless pieces of French royal jewelry. The entire operation took less than eight minutes, with the thieves spending only four minutes inside the museum itself.

Among the stolen treasures were Empress Eugénie's diamond tiara, an emerald and diamond necklace given by Napoleon to Empress Marie-Louise, and jewelry belonging to 19th-century French queens. The total value is estimated at €88 million ($102 million), not including their immense historical significance.

Investigation Challenges

French police have arrested four suspects in connection with the robbery, but none of the stolen jewels or getaway vehicles have been recovered. 'The white van was likely used to load the jewelry. That's one of the conclusions we can draw. Part of the team met briefly after the robbery in this parking lot. After that, the jewels disappeared without a trace,' said public prosecutor Laure Beccuau in a statement to Franceinfo.

The investigation has revealed significant security failures at the Louvre. According to BBC reports, only 39% of the museum's rooms had CCTV coverage, and cameras in the Apollo Gallery were facing the wrong direction. A 2014 cybersecurity audit had warned about serious security flaws, including the use of trivial passwords like 'Louvre' for the surveillance system.

Security Upgrades and Price Increases

In response to the robbery, the Louvre has announced major security upgrades including thicker glass, 100 additional cameras, and vehicle barriers. The museum has also raised ticket prices significantly, with non-European visitors now paying €32 - a 45% increase from previous rates. European Union visitors pay €22.

Experts fear the stolen jewels may already have been broken down and smuggled out of France. 'This isn't just a theft - it's an attack on France's cultural heritage,' one art security expert told reporters. The investigation continues as authorities analyze DNA evidence collected from the crime scene and follow leads from the newly released parking garage footage.