Missing for 69 Years, royal tiara heads to auction for $1.3M A diamond tiara known as the Mellerio Orléans Tiara will be auctioned on November 11 in Geneva. Originally crafted in 1862 for a royal exhibition, it features a Greek Revival design. After being lost for nearly 69 years, it is expected to fetch between $946,000 and $1.33 million. The tiara… The Times of India · Oct 19
Physicists who uncovered the first particle accelerator were honored with a Nobel Prize 75 years ago – their work shaped physics, medicine and even art research While scientists are known for their dedication to their research, crawling on the floor to avoid electrocution for the sake of a measurement seems a little excessive. But this is what British physicist John Cockcroft and Irish physicist Ernest T.S. Walton had to do in the early 1930s while studying… The Conversation · Oct 2
Guns, axes, explosives: violent museum heists are on the rise, says Europol EU police agency says shift could point to involvement of new criminal networks focused on specific artefacts The Guardian - UK · Aug 24
In 1911, Mona Lisa was stolen in one of history’s most bizarre heists: The thief hid it under his clothes and nobody realised it was gone for more than a day In 1911, an Italian worker named Vincenzo Peruggia famously stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. This dramatic event captured the attention of media around the world and piqued public interest to an unprecedented level. Peruggia managed to conceal the masterpiece for more than two years before it was recovered,… The Economic Times · Aug 24
Museums face growing cyber threats but security remains an afterthought In the last few years, some of the UK’s biggest cultural institutions have experienced major threats to their security. A report by the public accounts committee (PAC) has warned that such incidents have exposed serious weaknesses across the sector but that the government has failed to devise a strategy to… The Conversation · Aug 7
Louvre reopens Apollo Gallery after a brazen heist, but no jewels on display The Louvre's Apollo gallery has reopened to the public after a significant crown jewels heist. Collections and precious jewels were removed as the gallery returns to its original purpose. Security has been significantly boosted with new surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems. Thieves stole jewels valued at 88 million euros in… The Economic Times · Jul 22
Mastermind behind €88m Louvre heist reportedly displeased by haul IN FULL The Independent UK · Jul 13
Mastermind of €88m Louvre heist said they ‘could have taken more’, say suspects Several pieces of historic jewelry were stolen during the break-in at the Paris museum last year The Independent UK · Jul 13
Mastermind behind Louvre heist 'thought we could have taken more', alleged thieves reveal According to transcripts of the alleged thieves’ questioning, they were recruited just 2 to 3 days before the heist and paid as little as €15,000–€25,000 for the €88 million haul. Euronews · Jul 13
Thieves steal around €4 million in jewellery from French museum Jewellery worth several million euros has been stolen from the Lalique Museum in northeastern France after burglars broke into the site early on Sunday and targeted its jewellery collection. Around 20 pieces were taken in the raid, with losses estimated at close to four million euros, according to an investigation… France 24 · Jul 5
France outage leaves 68,000 homes without power as record heatwave spreads north A power outage caused by a record-breaking heatwave left around 68,000 households without electricity in France's western Brittany on Wednesday as the national weather agency issued a red alert for extreme weather covering most of the country, including the northernmost region around Calais. France 24 · Jun 24
Louvre museum 'running out of steam', says new director The Louvre museum is struggling to find funding to upgrade its ageing facilities, its new director said Wednesday, following a litany of problems that included a brazen $100-million jewellery heist. Home to iconic pieces of art including Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", the Louvre is the world's most visited museum,… The Economic Times · Jun 17
France 24 · Jun 17 France's Louvre museum 'running out of steam', new director says The world's largest museum is having a hard time securing investments to upgrade its decaying infrastructure, the Louvre's new director Christophe Leribault told a Senate committee Wednesday. The museum has been hit by a series of public scandals including a water leak, a large-scale ticket fraud operation and the daylight…
Euronews · Jun 2 Louvre jewel theft: Belgian lead revives investigation French investigators have now shifted their sights to Belgium after a crucial analysis of suspicious phone records. An update on the extraordinary manhunt after one of the most daring art heists in history at the Paris Louvre, the world's most visited museum.
The Guardian - UK · May 26 Fancy a European art break with fewer crowds? Try one of these five cities Forget queuing at the Louvre or the Uffizi. You’ll find a fresh perspective on everything from medieval to modern art in places like Lille, Verona and Zurich
Radio France Internationale · May 18 Louvre picks architects for €800m overhaul and new Mona Lisa space France’s Culture Ministry announced on Monday the architects and landscape designers chosen for the Louvre Museum’s planned €700-800 million revamp in Paris.
The Economic Times · May 16 In 1820, a farmer moved stones through ruins on a windy Greek island: A buried marble figure emerged from the rubble and became one of the world’s most famous sculptures On the idyllic shores of Milos in 1820, a farmer's unassuming chore of clearing stones opened the door to history when he stumbled upon the magnificent Venus de Milo. This accidental find not only unveiled a stunning ancient statue but also sparked a cultural frenzy across Europe as it made…
Radio France Internationale · May 14 Louvre security concerns ‘pushed aside’ in favour of prestige projects Security concerns at the Louvre were repeatedly sidelined in favour of prestige projects and rising visitor numbers, according to a parliamentary report to be presented on Thursday which calls for sweeping reforms in France’s museum sector.
The Independent UK · May 5 Paris museum confronts Nazi-looted art with new gallery for orphaned masterpieces Paris’s Musée d’Orsay has opened a new gallery dedicated to lost masterpieces plundered by the Nazis
Radio France Internationale · Apr 18 The French archaeologists helping war-ravaged Sudan save its heritage The war in Sudan, now in its fourth year, has seen thousands of people killed and millions displaced. Alongside the human toll, there are concerns too for the country’s abundant archaeological sites and artefacts, at risk from trafficking and destruction. Now France is helping develop innovative tools to preserve Sudanese…
BANG Premier · Apr 15 Bradley Cooper confirmed to direct and star in Ocean's 11 prequel Warner Bros. have confirmed that Bradley Cooper will write, direct and star alongside Margot Robbie in the upcoming prequel to Ocean's 11.
Euronews · Apr 8 Restoring Rubens: Louvre Paris readies to save dozens of Flemish masterpieces from ruin The Louvre Museum in Paris is preparing to undertake an ambitious restoration and repair project of centuries old paintings by Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens to save them from ruin.
Evening Standard · Mar 30 OPINION - Bothered by queues at the British Museum? Make foreign visitors pay Free access to museums and galleries is a rare privilege but it doesn’t have to be extended to everyone