Louvre Museum shut down after robbery; French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirms theft

The Louvre Museum in Paris, one of the world’s most visited cultural landmarks, was shut down on Sunday after a reported robbery incident earlier in the morning.

France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, confirmed the incident in a post on X, stating, “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the @MuseeLouvre in Paris. No injuries to report. I am on site alongside the museum teams and the police. Investigations are underway.”

The official X handle of the Louvre Museum also announced the closure, writing, “The Louvre Museum will remain closed today for exceptional reasons.”

The exact details of what was stolen or how the robbery took place have not yet been disclosed. Security officials and investigators were seen at the site throughout the day.

Located in the heart of Paris, the Louvre Museum is home to more than 35,000 artworks, including world-famous masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, and the Venus de Milo. It attracts nearly 9 million visitors every year, making it the most visited museum in the world.