French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday denounced the spectacular theft of jewelry from the Louvre Museum in Paris as an assault on France’s cultural historical past.
“The theft from the Louvre is an assault on a cultural asset that we worth as a result of it’s a part of our historical past,” stated Macron. “We are going to recuperate the works and convey the perpetrators to justice. Underneath the management of the Paris public prosecutor’s workplace, every little thing is being carried out in every single place to attain this.”
Macron stated {that a} venture to modernize the Louvre that was offered in January supplies for a strengthening of safety measures.
“It should make sure the preservation and safety of what makes up our reminiscence and our tradition,” stated the president.
Broadcaster BFMTV has launched extracts from an novice video displaying the burglars finishing up their spectacular coup within the exhibition room containing the French crown jewels.
One of many perpetrators might be seen carrying a high-visibility waistcoat and forcibly opening one of many show instances.
Public prosecutor Laure Beccau informed broadcaster BFMTV that eight valuable items of jewelry have been taken. They included a necklace and an earring belonging to Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon’s second spouse.
One other necklace, a pair of earrings and a diadem from the collections of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense have been additionally stolen, together with two brooches and a diadem belonging to Empress Eugénie, the spouse of Napoleon III.
Eugénie’s crown, a priceless merchandise embellished with emeralds and a whole bunch of diamonds, was misplaced by the thieves through the heist and later recovered. The crown was reportedly broken.
