Langres, France – A wave of thefts has struck French museums, raising concerns about security and the protection of national heritage. Just hours after a daring heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Maison des Lumières Denis Diderot museum in Langres has reported the theft of approximately 2,000 gold and silver coins.
The Langres theft was discovered on Monday morning when museum staff noticed a shattered display case. Authorities believe the incident occurred two days prior, on October 19th, while the museum was closed to the public. Initial estimates place the value of the stolen coins at around €90,000 (approximately $104,000 USD). The collection includes coins dating from 1790 to 1840, a period encompassing the French Revolution and the early modern era.
Local police have launched an investigation led by a major theft unit. The timing of this theft, so closely following the Louvre incident, has prompted questions about potential connections and overall museum security protocols. The Louvre robbery, where crown jewels valued at over $100 million were stolen, has been dubbed “the heist of the century” by some French media outlets.
The Maison des Lumières Denis Diderot, named after the renowned philosopher and encyclopedist, is a significant cultural institution dedicated to the Enlightenment era. The stolen coins were part of a historical collection discovered during museum renovations in 2011 and subsequently put on public display. The back-to-back incidents highlight the vulnerability of cultural institutions and the need for increased vigilance.
Authorities are working to determine if the two thefts are related and are reviewing security measures at museums across France. The investigation is ongoing.
