In one of the most audacious art thefts in modern history, thieves executed a swift and highly professional robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday, escaping with eight priceless 19th-century French jewels in just seven minutes.

Authorities say the heist unfolded shortly after the museum opened to the public. The suspects — described by investigators as organized and methodical — used a battery-powered disc cutter to slice through reinforced glass panes, gaining entry to a restricted section of the gallery.

According to security personnel, the thieves threatened guards before proceeding directly to a display case containing the jewels, suggesting that the operation was meticulously pre-planned. The stolen pieces, crafted during France’s 19th-century artistic renaissance, are believed to be worth tens of millions of euros.

“This was a fast, precise, and clearly professional job,” a police source told local media. “They knew exactly what they were looking for and how to get it.”

The Louvre, the world’s most visited art museum, remained closed on Monday as French authorities intensified their investigation, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing staff.

Experts note that the theft bears similarities to past European jewel heists, where thieves have relied on speed, precision tools, and insider knowledge of museum layouts. French investigators are coordinating with Interpol amid fears that the jewels may be dismantled or trafficked through international black markets.

Museum officials expressed devastation over the loss, describing the stolen items as “irreplaceable national treasures.”

“These jewels are not just works of art — they are a part of France’s cultural soul,” a Louvre curator said.

The theft has sparked a renewed debate over museum security protocols, particularly in high-profile cultural institutions that face growing threats from organized art crime networks.