French authorities are investigating a brazen heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris after thieves made off with an estimated $100 million worth of Crown Jewels from one of the museum’s most treasured galleries.

According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, the stolen pieces — eight jewels from the French Crown collection — were taken from the Galerie d’Apollon, a historic hall famed for housing France’s most precious royal artifacts. The theft occurred in the early hours of October 19, 2025, and has been described as one of the largest cultural thefts in modern history.

Authorities estimate the total value of the missing jewels at €88 million (approximately $100 million), though experts warn their cultural and historical worth is incalculable.

Investigators say the operation appeared to be highly coordinated, with security systems reportedly disabled or bypassed moments before the break-in. Surveillance footage is being analyzed as French police and Interpol join efforts to recover the priceless treasures.

The Louvre Museum, one of the most visited art institutions in the world, was temporarily closed to the public following the heist. Museum officials called the theft a “devastating blow” to France’s cultural heritage and vowed to assist law enforcement in every way possible.

The Galerie d’Apollon, designed under the reign of Louis XIV, has long showcased some of the crown’s most dazzling relics — including gems once worn by French monarchs and emperors.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the crime, calling it “an attack not just on France, but on world culture.”

As investigators trace possible international links, the missing jewels remain a symbol of both France’s royal past and the growing challenge of protecting cultural heritage in the modern age.