From the silver screen to real life: in these films, the Louvre also gets robbed

It felt like we had landed in a movie scene yesterday, but this was really real life. In less than 10 minutes, four thieves managed to rob the most secure museum in the world – yes, the Louvre. And they did it in broad daylight. Just after opening hours, French crown jewels were stolen from the Apollo Gallery. For the so-called ‘most secure museum in the world’, these professionals managed to easily make off with millions. How did they do it? Well, simply with their own construction lift. Once on the first floor, they could tap a window. And the rest... is history.

Sounds simple, right? Okay, okay, let's think logically: this was anything but an impulsive action. It was a perfectly planned heist. Now you're probably wondering: how on earth could this happen – in the Louvre out of all places? I don't get it either. Now that the perpetrators are still on the run, Paris is the setting for a large-scale forensic investigation and the secret French service. This ‘heist of the decade’ seems like a plot from Ocean’s Eleven, but then for real. Are you ready for some excitement, but don't want to wait to see how this story ends? Then I have good news:

In these films, the Louvre is also robbed

Lupin (2021-2023)

Yes, for the Lupin-fans among us, this plot must sound familiar. The Netflix series starts with a jewel heist in the Louvre, where thief Assane Diop (Omar Sy) steals the famous ‘Queen’s Necklace’ to avenge his father. He was wrongfully accused of stealing that same necklace. Due to a stack of forged evidence – because yes, he was set up by his employer Hubert Pellegrini – Assane's father ended up in prison. 25 years after his father's death in jail, Assane is inspired by the book about the French thief Arséne Lupin. Ready to take revenge, he plans a series of heists to make the Pellegrini family pay for their actions and reveal their dark secrets.

Oh, and did you know that the necklace on which the ‘Queen’s Necklace’ is based has now actually been stolen?

Mystère au Louvre (2017)

Mercure (Alice Taglioni), the famous thief of Parisian high society, has a new dream: she wants to steal the crown jewels of Empress Eugénie. And for that master plan, Constance de Coulanges, her real name, has only one chance: the evening they are exhibited in the Louvre. Because this is no simple operation, she teams up with the handsome tightrope walker Frédéric (Cyrillus Descours). Their heist becomes much more dangerous when Chief Inspector Thénard (Philippe Torreton) puts a price on Constance's head. According to him, the theft is impossible. In theory. And our thieves are all too eager to break that theory.

Belphégor – Le fantôme du Louvre (2001)

In this film, which is almost as old as I am, the museum is shaken by a dark demon: Belphégor. The ‘ghost of the Louvre’ is brought to life by a mysterious mummy. Of course, how could it be otherwise? Classic. A new collection of archaeological finds from Egypt is checked before it can be added to the collection. When experts scan a sarcophagus with a laser, a spirit escapes and nests in the museum's electrical system. Museum curator Faussier (Jean-Francois Balmer) calls in the help of the famous Egyptologist Glenda Spencer (Julie Christie). She soon reveals that the mummy in the coffin is actually the evil spirit Belphégor.

After closing time, Lisa (Sophie Marceau, whom you know from Braveheart and The World Is Not Enough) follows her escaped cat into the museum. While searching for the animal, she gets an electric shock from a button she accidentally touches. This shock gives the demon the chance to take over her body. Possessed by Belphégor, ‘Lisa’ begins to rob the Louvre, convinced that all the museum pieces belong to him.

Cat’s Eyes (2023)

Just like in the namesake manga series from 1981, Cat’s Eyes is about the three sisters Tamara, Sylia, and Alexia, who want to reclaim all the artworks of their missing and probably dead father. He, Michaël Heinz, was a famous art collector before he disappeared in a mysterious fire in his gallery. As they try to figure out why their father disappeared, they are pursued by the special unit of the French police, Brigade de Répression du Banditisme. Which just happens to be led by Tamara's ex-boyfriend.

The Mona Lisa Has Been Stolen (1966)

This is an oldie. In this French comedy we see the true story of the Italian Vincent Peruggia. He stole the Mona Lisa in 1911. And not with a special method, but simply by pretending to be a staff member and hiding the painting under his coat. The biggest theft of the 20th century ends quite differently in this film. We follow Vincent as he works at the museum as a framer, where he falls head over heels for the young Nicole. When the museum is closed for cleaning, Vincent sneaks in and steals the painting. On the run, he is pursued by the police, Nicole, and a magician.

You go ahead and figure out how to watch all these films. Maybe download them somewhere? Like a real thief. No, no. Just kidding. You do that on YouTube. You have to do something while you wait for the thrilling conclusion of the real story.

Credit: Emmanuel Guimier /Netflix