Journalists Jean-Michel Décugis and Nicolas-Charles Torrent released a book Wednesday detailing the October 2025 robbery of crown jewels from the Louvre [1, 2].
The publication of “Main basse sur le Louvre : les secrets du casse” provides a rare glimpse into the planning and execution of one of the most significant art thefts in recent history. Because the investigation remains active, these revelations offer a public accounting of the security failures and criminal tactics used to breach the museum.
The heist occurred on Oct. 19, 2025 [1]. Thieves stole eight crown jewels, including the crown of Empress Eugénie [1]. The items were targeted specifically for their immense financial and historical value [1, 2].
While the book examines the operation's logistics, law enforcement continues to pursue the stolen assets. Investigators previously took a fourth suspect into custody to help recover the missing jewels [3]. That suspect faced a maximum police custody period of 48 hours [4].
Décugis, a grand reporter for Le Parisien, and Torrent, editor-in-chief at Paris Match, authored the account based on their reporting of the case [2]. The book arrives as the search for the jewels continues across borders, with some reports suggesting the items may be located in Belgium [1].
Authorities have spent months attempting to track the network responsible for the theft. By March 2026, investigators had been tracking the case for five months [5]. The complexity of the crime, involving high-value targets and international movement, has made the recovery process slow and difficult.
“The book aims to reveal how the heist was planned and executed.”
The release of this detailed account during an active investigation may pressure authorities to provide more transparency regarding the recovery of the crown jewels. By documenting the 'secrets' of the heist, the authors highlight systemic vulnerabilities in the Louvre's security, shifting the narrative from a simple theft to a critique of how France protects its national treasures.
