Massive Coin Heist at French Museum Following Louvre Theft

Sat Oct 25 2025 13:09:24 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a shocking turn of events, a raid at a museum in northeastern France has resulted in the theft of approximately 2,000 gold and silver coins valued at €90,000. This incident comes just hours after the audacious theft of crown jewels from the Louvre.

A significant robbery occurred at the Maison des Lumières in Landres, France, where nearly 2,000 valuable coins were stolen shortly after a separate high-profile jewel heist at the Louvre. The raid highlights increasing security concerns at cultural institutions in France following a series of high-profile thefts.

Around 2,000 gold and silver coins worth approximately €90,000 (£78,000; $104,000) were stolen during a raid at another French museum, merely hours after the daring heist of some French crown jewels at the Louvre in Paris.

The incident took place at the Maison des Lumières (House of Enlightenment) in Landres, northeastern France, on Sunday night. Upon reopening on Tuesday, museum staff discovered a smashed display case, prompting an immediate alert to authorities. Officials reported that the coins were taken with 'great expertise', indicating a well-planned heist.

This robbery represents the latest in a troubling series of thefts targeting cultural institutions across France, raising alarms about the security measures in place. The coins, dating from 1790 to 1840, were part of a private collection unearthed during renovations in 2011 at the museum.

Just last month, thieves made headlines by breaking into Paris's Natural History Museum and stealing six gold nuggets valued at around €1.5 million. Additionally, in September, a major burglary occurred at the National Porcelain Museum in Limoges, resulting in the loss of valuable porcelain worth over €6 million.

The recent wave of thefts, including the brazen daylight robbery of €88 million worth of historic jewellery from the Louvre, has led to increased scrutiny over the security protocols at French museums. Art detective Arthur Brand warned that such high-profile thefts could inspire copycat crimes across Europe.

In response to these incidents, Louvre Director Laurence des Cars acknowledged serious security lapses, including aging CCTV systems and inadequate coverage at vulnerable points, stating that the museum has failed to protect its treasures from determined criminals.