Paris: The Louvre Museum has transferred a portion of its most valuable crown jewels to the Bank of France for safekeeping following a daring daylight heist that stunned France and the global art community. The decision was made after thieves stole eight irreplaceable pieces from the Apollo Gallery, home to France’s historic crown jewels, earlier this month.

The robbery, which took place during visiting hours on October 19, was executed with military precision. Authorities believe a team of four masked individuals carried out the theft, entering and escaping within minutes. Early investigations suggest the criminals used a truck equipped with a crane to access an upper gallery window. The stolen jewels, valued at approximately 102 million dollars (around 88 million euros), include pieces once belonging to Empress Eugénie and Marie-Louise of Austria, Napoleon’s second wife.

Following the incident, the Louvre discreetly transported the remaining jewels to the Bank of France’s heavily secured underground vault, with the transfer supervised by police. Both the museum and the Bank of France have declined to comment publicly on the operation, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Paris prosecutor’s office has deployed nearly one hundred investigators to track down the suspects, describing the heist as one of the most sophisticated in recent history. Authorities are also working with international agencies amid fears the stolen pieces may be dismantled or melted down, making recovery nearly impossible.

Experts have expressed concern that the theft exposes deep flaws in the security system of the world’s largest museum. Reports indicate that several planned upgrades to surveillance systems had been delayed due to budgetary constraints, an issue now under scrutiny. The French government has since ordered a comprehensive review of museum security protocols nationwide.

The heist has not only raised questions about museum safety but also about the protection of cultural heritage itself. The jewels represent centuries of French history, and their potential loss would be a significant blow to the nation’s cultural legacy.

While investigators continue their pursuit, the Louvre remains open to the public, though security measures have been visibly tightened. For now, France’s most treasured artifacts lie deep beneath Paris, guarded in the Bank of France’s vaults safe from thieves but far from the millions of visitors who come to admire them each year.