Robbers made off with two 18th-century diamond-encrusted snuffboxes during a violent raid on the Cognacq-Jay Museum in Paris, part of an estimated €1 million haul. The museum was subjected to a 'very violent robbery' on Wednesday morning, resulting in the theft of several objects, according to a statement from Paris City Hall. No injuries were reported, and an investigation is currently underway, authorities confirmed.
Four masked men, armed with baseball bats and axes, stormed the museum while visitors and staff were present, as reported by French media. They reportedly smashed display cases, seizing five boxes and snuffboxes from the museum's Luxe de Poche (Pocket Luxury) exhibition, before fleeing on two scooters—the entire raid lasting only minutes. The exhibition had borrowed items from the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre, with some of the stolen items being on loan from the British royal collection, according to Le Monde. The French ministry of culture confirmed that 'two particularly important snuff boxes dating from the 18th century' that were on loan from the Louvre had been stolen in the raid.
The value of the stolen objects was approximately €1 million, as reported by local media, although Paris City Hall stated that the figure was still being estimated. French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati strongly condemned the crime in a statement on Wednesday, describing it as a significant blow to France’s cultural heritage due to the 'historical value and the precious nature of these pieces'. The Cognacq-Jay Museum, which houses an extensive collection of 18th-century art and objects donated by Ernest Cognacq, announced on Thursday that it would be closed and would reopen on 10 December. Paris authorities said they would provide psychological support for staff and visitors who were present during the heist.
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