Valuable Gold, estimated at $700,000, swiped from Paris's Natural History Museum amid a series of similar thefts
Break-ins at Cultural Institutions in Paris and Beyond: A Series of Robberies
In a troubling turn of events, several cultural institutions in Paris and the surrounding regions have been targeted by thieves in recent months. The latest incident occurred at the National Natural History Museum in Paris' 5th district, where several specimens of native gold, worth approximately $700,000, were stolen.
This robbery follows a string of incidents, including the break-in at the Adrien Dubouche National Museum in Limoges earlier this month. Two dishes and a vase in Chinese porcelain classed as national treasures were stolen, with losses estimated at 6.5 million euros.
The Cognacq-Jay museum in Paris was robbed last November, with several 18th-century works stolen. The intruders used an angle grinder and a blow torch to force entry, bypassing the disabled alarm and surveillance systems, which had been compromised by a cyberattack in July.
The next day after the Cognacq-Jay museum robbery, jewelry valued at several million euros was stolen during an armed robbery at a museum in Saone-et-Loire. The stolen native gold is a metal alloy containing gold and silver in their natural, unrefined form.
These incidents are not isolated to Paris. In May 2022, armed robbers hit a jewelry store on one of Paris' poshest streets, with media reports suggesting the target was the exclusive Harry Winston boutique.
The museum's press office reported that the stolen specimens carry an immeasurable heritage value. The insurance payment for the Cognacq-Jay museum heist was over $4 million, according to BBC News.
Interestingly, the gold samples worth $700,000 were stolen by an employee of the Paris Natural History Museum, and the theft was not known beforehand.
The river-side complex that houses the National Natural History Museum is a popular spot for Parisians and tourists alike, adding to the concern surrounding these robberies.
The series of robberies from cultural institutions serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our priceless heritage. It is hoped that the authorities will take swift action to ensure the safety and preservation of these valuable artefacts.
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