In what has become a troubling trend for cultural institutions across France, around 2,000 gold and silver coins, valued at approximately €90,000 (£78,000; $104,000), were stolen during a brazen raid at the Maison des Lumières museum in Landres, north-eastern France. This incident occurred just hours following a daring theft of French crown jewels at the Louvre.
Officials report that the robbery took place on Sunday night, and the following Tuesday, museum workers discovered a shattered display case, prompting them to alert authorities. According to local authorities, the coins were taken with significant knowledge and precision, suggesting the thieves had a clear understanding of the museum's layout and artifacts.
This theft marks yet another chapter in a series of heists that have plagued French museums recently. The coins are part of a private collection that was unearthed during renovations in 2011, dating back to between 1790 and 1840.
Just last month, criminals successfully infiltrated Paris's Natural History Museum, making off with six gold nuggets worth around €1.5 million. A suspect was apprehended in Barcelona while attempting to dispose of the gold. Furthermore, in another notable incident, thieves stole two Chinese porcelain dishes and a vase valued at €6.55 million from a museum in Limoges.
The recent string of thefts, including the elaborate heist at the Louvre, has raised serious questions about the security protocols at museums. Louvre director, Laurence des Cars, revealed to French senators that the CCTV coverage around the museum was outdated and ineffective during the heist.
As concerns escalate regarding the vulnerability of cultural treasures, experts fear that more copycat attacks may be on the horizon. Art detective Arthur Brand cautioned that if thieves can target high-profile institutions like the Louvre and escape, it may inspire local criminals to target nearby museums.
The stolen coins and other artifacts represent not just monetary value, but also significant cultural heritage, making the urgency for better security measures paramount as museums seek to protect their collections.
