Museum Heist in France: 2,000 Coins Stolen Amidst Security Concerns

Wed Oct 29 2025 08:55:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A significant robbery at the Maison des Lumières has resulted in the theft of 2,000 gold and silver coins, following a string of high-profile art heists in France, including the recent theft of crown jewels from the Louvre.

In a recent string of art crimes, approximately 2,000 gold and silver coins worth €90,000 were stolen from the Maison des Lumières in Landres, France. This heist follows the audacious theft of crown jewels from the Louvre, highlighting increasing security concerns across French cultural institutions. The stolen coins, dating from 1790 to 1840, were part of a private collection originally discovered in a 2011 renovation. Experts suggest this could lead to a wave of copycat crimes targeting museums in Europe.

In another alarming theft for France's cultural heritage institutions, around 2,000 gold and silver coins valued at approximately €90,000 (£78,000; $104,000) were stolen during a raid at the Maison des Lumières in Landres, north-eastern France. The incident occurred just hours after the infamous robbery of a collection of French crown jewels at the Louvre museum.

The theft was discovered on the morning of Tuesday when staff opened the museum to find a display case shattered. Local authorities noted that the coins had been carefully selected for theft, pointing to a potentially deliberate approach by the criminals.

The coins in question date back to between 1790 and 1840 and were uncovered in 2011 during renovations of the museum's building, making this a particularly significant loss for the local heritage.

The string of heists across France has raised urgent questions regarding the effectiveness of security measures at cultural sites. Just last month, thieves raided the Natural History Museum in Paris, making off with six gold nuggets worth €1.5 million.

Art experts warn that following the dramatic success of the Louvre robbery, which included an €88 million heist involving historic jewels, museums across Europe could see an increase in copycat crimes as local thieves seek to exploit perceived weaknesses in security.

The Louvre's recent theft has also drawn attention to the institution's alarmingly outdated security infrastructure, with claims that key surveillance systems have failed multiple times, allowing criminals to execute elaborate heists with comparative ease.