The Journal. – Episode Summary

Episode: Why French Museums Keep Getting Robbed
Date: November 17, 2025
Hosts: Jessica Mendoza, Ryan Knutson
Guest: Noemi Becerbe (The Wall Street Journal reporter)

Overview

This episode explores a recent wave of museum heists sweeping across France, including a brazen broad-daylight robbery at the Louvre. Jessica Mendoza and guest reporter Noemi Becerbe break down why museum thefts are suddenly spiking, what thieves are seeking, how they're pulling it off, and the immense security challenges French museums face—especially outside the world-famous Louvre.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Recent Spate of Robberies

• Headline Heists:
  • In October, thieves used a freight elevator to access the Louvre's Apollo Room, cutting through the glass and escaping with an estimated $102 million in jewels in just seven minutes ([00:05–00:28]).
  • Less than 24 hours later, the Musee de Lumiere de Nisidro in the small town of Langres was robbed of a collection of gold coins ([00:41–01:19]).
  • "Two museum robberies within a day of each other. And it turns out those heists were just the tip of the iceberg." — Jessica Mendoza ([01:32]).
• Broader Pattern:
  • Since September, six French museums were robbed—one hit twice—making seven heists in two months, nine in the past year ([01:41–01:52]).

What Thieves Want — 'Melt Value'

• Targeted Items:
  • Stolen goods are typically gold, coins, and jewelry—not easily traceable art.
  • "What they're looking for is basically stuff that they can sell and you can't art, which is very recognizable...You can melt stuff. You can steal gold, melt it and resell it." — Noemi Becerbe ([04:49–05:23])
• Melt Value Explained:
  • Thieves cut up, melt, or alter valuables to safely resell precious metals and jewels ([05:23]).

Why Now? — Economic and Social Drivers

• Gold Prices:
  • Rising gold and silver prices due to geopolitical anxiety and inflation have made these heists more lucrative ([05:44–05:56]).
• Inspiration from Past Success:
  • The now-famous 2017 Bode Museum heist in Berlin emboldened would-be thieves—demonstrating that with planning, museum security can be breached ([06:15–09:07]).
  • "You've had like these spectacular heists which have allowed this realization, which is that, well, actually these guys can pull it off. Well, maybe we can too." — Noemi Becerbe ([08:41]).

Security Weaknesses in Museums

• Historic Buildings:
  • Many museums are housed in centuries-old palaces and mansions not built for modern security ([09:29–09:44]).
  • Museum security upgrades face complicated regulations and bureaucratic hurdles ([09:44–09:56]).
• Comparisons to Jewelry Stores:
  • "Museums have actually pieces which are much more valuable than any jewelry store. And...it's actually [easier] to rob a museum than to rob a jewelry store, which, unlike museums, has very heavy security." — Noemi Becerbe ([09:11–09:29]).

Government Reaction & Challenges

• The Louvre Responds:
  • The theft was an "eye-opener" for officials. Four suspects have been charged but the jewels are still missing ([11:26–11:59]).
  • The Louvre, with ample resources, will upgrade security; smaller museums struggle to fund improvements ([11:59–12:31]).
• France’s Dilemma:
  • With ~1,200 museums countrywide, France now faces the tough task of deciding which collections to prioritize for protection, delicate since many treasures have deep local or historic significance ([12:31–13:39]).
  • "It's going to be very difficult decision to make for French people, like protecting these museums. It's also about protecting their heritage and passing it on to future generations. And that's very important to French people." — Noemi Becerbe ([13:39]).

Local Impact — The Case of Langres

• The Town’s Treasure:
  • The stolen coins in Langres had sentimental value; half belonged to the city because a local worker uncovered them during renovation ([14:27–15:04]).
  • "People felt like this was sort of the town's treasure, and...it had a very strong sentimental value to people in Langres." — Noemi Becerbe ([15:04–15:38]).
• Security Hurdles:
  • Plans for security upgrades in Langres, like installing a metal shutter, were delayed due to financial constraints ([15:46–16:12]).
• Thieves Still at Large:
  • "No, they have not been. Not been caught yet." — Noemi Becerbe ([16:15–16:19]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Two museum robberies within a day of each other. And it turns out those heists were just the tip of the iceberg."
  — Jessica Mendoza ([01:32])
• "What they're looking for is basically stuff that they can sell...You can melt stuff. You can steal gold, melt it and resell it."
  — Noemi Becerbe ([04:49])
• "You've had like these spectacular heists which have allowed this realization, which is that, well, actually these guys can pull it off. Well, maybe we can too."
  — Noemi Becerbe ([08:41])
• "Museums have actually pieces which are much more valuable than any jewelry store. And what they figured out is that it's actually [easier] to rob a museum than to rob a jewelry store..."
  — Noemi Becerbe ([09:11])
• "It's also about protecting their heritage and passing it on to future generations. And that's very important to French people."
  — Noemi Becerbe ([13:39])
• "People felt like this was sort of the town's treasure, and...it had a very strong sentimental value to people in Langres."
  — Noemi Becerbe ([15:38])
• "No, they have not been. Not been caught yet."
  — Noemi Becerbe ([16:15])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Louvre Robbery & Immediate Langres Theft: [00:05–01:32]
• Pattern of Heists Across France: [01:41–02:32]
• What Thieves Steal & Why: [04:42–05:23]
• Role of Gold Prices & Copycat Thefts: [05:44–09:07]
• Security Challenges in Museums: [09:29–09:56]
• Government & Louvre Reactions: [11:20–12:31]
• France’s Cultural Dilemma & Local Impact: [12:31–15:38]
• Langres Security Delays & Unsolved Crime: [15:46–16:19]

Takeaway

France is facing an unprecedented wave of museum thefts targeting "meltable" treasures, spurred by rising gold prices, copycat criminals, and serious challenges upgrading outdated museum security. While the Louvre can afford to respond, hundreds of smaller French museums remain vulnerable—putting both national treasures and local heritage at new risk.