Recent footage from surveillance cameras, shown by the French television channel France 2, reveals details of the Louvre robbery, during which security staff observed the actions of the criminals but were unable to intervene.
The video shows several guards in black suits noticing a robber who had entered the museum through a window and hastily leaving the hall. Soon, a second accomplice joined him, dressed in a motorcycle helmet and armed with an angle grinder. They headed towards specific display cases containing jewelry, ignoring all others.
At the same moment, several guards returned to the gallery. One of them attempted to stop the robbers by grabbing a barrier and approaching them twice, but ultimately decided not to intervene and retreated. The criminals continued their robbery, disregarding the nearby staff.
It should be noted that the Louvre's security guards are unarmed, as their activities do not fall under internal security legislation.
Additionally, the TF1 channel had previously also shown footage of this robbery, where one of the robbers is seen breaking open a display case with a tool and then smashing it with his hands to take the jewelry. He then runs to his accomplice, helping him to open another display case, after which they both flee with the stolen items.
On October 19, the robbers broke into the Louvre and stole nine pieces of jewelry, including tiaras, earrings, necklaces, and brooches belonging to French kings and empresses. Among them was the damaged crown of Empress Eugénie de Montijo, which was later found and returned to the museum. The damage from the robbery is estimated at 88 million euros, and several suspects have been detained, with charges brought against five of them.
The Louvre, opened in 1793 and formerly a royal residence, remains the most visited museum in the world.
