25 Comments
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Steve Sampson's avatar

Did they operate under cover of darkness? Perish the thought! Only wine and dancing and love happen after dark in France. Heists are for mid morning, after coffee, croissant, and cigarettes! We are thieves, not animals!

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Jackie Dana's avatar

When I read the story about how they will almost certainly be disassembled and sold off in pieces, with the metals being melted down, I had a moment of sadness for the loss of historic artifacts.

But then I figured, they will almost certainly make somebody’s life better than they were doing sitting in a museum. And like you said, they’re just booty from the French empire, and people certainly suffered to bring them into existence so whatever.

And what’s funny is, I didn’t even realize they had jewels like that at the Louvre. I was there 20 years ago and yet had no idea they even existed (because honestly, that museum is exhausting! And I’ve been to a lot of museums so that’s saying something.).

But maybe one day we’ll get a great movie out of it! Or an episode of Law and Order.

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Mary Lee Vacca's avatar

I, too, had a moment of sadness at the break-up of the jewels, loss to history, etc., but then I wondered why they picked just those jewels. I imagine some fat cat yacht-on-the-cote-d’azure guy … His ‘lady’ probably said, “I wish I could wear that Marie Antoinette broad’s jewels”, and he said, “Anything you want, baby”, snapped his fingers, and voila!!

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Sandra Hardie's avatar

Yeah, I was there too, maybe 30 years ago. Didn't even look for jewelry. I was too engrossed in the pictures and trying to figure out the right change for the toilets.

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tmsherman's avatar

I agree you should write the movie, Allison, or at least start your own weekly news show on TV. We could use your perspective on more stories than just this one. Thanks for once again making me laugh during these not-so-funny times.

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JDubs's avatar

Just write the movie..!🤣😂🤣😝

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The Particularist's avatar

Did you see about the use of the furniture lift?! Also here is a gift link to a very relevant Atlantic article: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/10/praise-louvre-heist/684677/?gift=cEzogZy9Y80p5F2VfUIAxbPC5Awf36d1WXKZ29tZ9Zw&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

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Allison Epstein's avatar

this is EXACTLY the energy! it’s so whimsical! no one is harmed but the ghost of Empress Eugenie! beep beep pardonnez-moi crime scooter

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Lou Tilsley's avatar

One of the girls in my class came in incredibly excited by this story. She just kept saying “And they did it IN BROAD DAYLIGHT!” My personal favourite detail was the wearing of high vis vests, clearly well-known for making you less visible!

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Rosemary DeSena's avatar

Wow. It is a bit surreal. They did it in full day light? What an addition to your list of jewel thieves.

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Christine Sneed's avatar

The Dumpf's flunkies are probably in the process of producing an AI version of this heist in which Soros, Obama, and Adam Schiff will appear as the thieves (not realizing these jewel heisters are folk heroes to many).

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Eduardo de Leon's avatar

Thank you! This is exactly what I expected from a serious newsletter, covering a specific topic – deep research – and a takeaway…

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Allison Epstein's avatar

thank you for always appreciating my dedication to fact-based, action-oriented objective journalism

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Kathlyn's avatar

I just love your take on it, and yes, it was all so lo-tech that it’s funny - and probably why it worked! Amazing what people can get away with just by looking the part and having the confidence to swagger on through. What a shame they usually use those powers for evil 😈

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Molly's avatar

Possibly the most “fun” news in a while?? I love it.

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Ann Foster's avatar

This heist is my ENTIRE PERSONALITY thank you for getting it.

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Sarah S's avatar

Am I alone in loving the tassels? I’d wear it!

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Allison Epstein's avatar

whatever floats your boat!! (.....tassles your diamonds?)

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Lisa Majeska's avatar

Read this news and immediately thought of you, loved your piece on the long con catfish pretending to be Marie Antoinette for an ugly necklace

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Sanford S's avatar

I want to watch the anchorperson on a French news program trying hard not to laugh while reading this story.

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Slow Convictions's avatar

I laughed for a full minute at the caption for this article. A+! No notes!

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