Precious cultural artifacts, valued at approximately $11 million, have been stolen from the Adrien Dubouche National Museum in Limoges, France, according to museum authorities.
The thieves triggered the museum’s alarm around 3:15 a.m. on Thursday, breaching security by smashing a window. The suspects subsequently entered the historical gallery, making off with two significant Chinese porcelain dishes, dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, and an 18th-century Chinese vase.
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The stolen items, designated as “national treasures,” were initially estimated to be worth about 9.5 million euros ($11 million). French prosecutors have since initiated an investigation into what they describe as “aggravated theft of cultural property exhibited in a French museum, committed in a group and with property damage.”
The security breach raised questions about the effectiveness of the museum’s security measures. Limoges public prosecutor Emilie Abrantes confirmed that although the security system did function, the suspects had already fled the scene by the time the police arrived in response to the security guards’ alarm.
The city’s mayor, Emile Roger Lombertie, acknowledged the incident, stating, “The security system worked, but it may need to be reviewed.” Lombertie, attesting to the ubiquity of such pilferages, added, “All the world’s major museums have had items stolen at one time or another.” The mayor also suggested that collectors may be commissioning criminals to steal these specific items.
The Adrien Dubouche National Museum, housing approximately 18,000 works, boasts the largest public collection of Limoges porcelain in the world. This incident follows in the wake of two major thefts at French museums in November 2024, one involving the brazen daylight robbery of the Cognacq-Jay Museum in Paris, and an armed robbery at the Hieron Museum in eastern France.
As we continue to probe into the details of these thefts, we are reminded of the intrinsic cultural value that these national treasures hold and the crucial role that security measures play in preserving them. We trust in the ongoing efforts of the French authorities to resolve this matter.
