French Museum Experiences Theft Following Recent Louvre Heist

A small museum in northeastern France, La Maison des Lumières Denis Diderot, reported a theft on Monday, October 20. The museum, located in the Hôtel du Breuil-de-St-Germain mansion in Langres, was targeted a day after a daylight jewel heist at the Louvre. Thieves broke into a display, stealing several gold and silver coins while the museum was closed.

Langres municipal police found evidence of forced entry and broken display case shards on Tuesday. They suspect the burglary was targeted and planned. The museum is closed for public until further notice.

Dedicated to the 18th-century philosopher Denis Diderot, the museum showcases his personal effects and works, including tools like printing hardware and measuring instruments. The stolen coins were part of a trove of nearly 2,000 uncovered in 2011, found within the mansion’s woodwork during renovations. Valued at approximately €90,000 (~$104,559), half of the treasure was awarded to the discoverer, with the remainder in the town’s custody.

The robbery follows a series of thefts; the Louvre recently lost crown jewels worth $102 million due to security failures, and Paris’ Museum of Natural History lost gold nuggets valued at €1.5 million (~$1.74 million). A suspect in the latter case has been charged.