Robbers steal diamond-encrusted snuffboxes in raid on Paris museum

Robbers stole two 18th century diamond-encrusted snuffboxes as part of an estimated €1 million haul during a violent raid on the Cognacq-Jay Museum in Paris.

The museum was the target of a "very violent robbery" on Wednesday morning and several objects were stolen, according to a statement from Paris City Hall. No one was injured and an investigation is now underway, the authorities said.

Four masked men, armed with baseball bats and axes, stormed the museum while visitors and staff were present, according to French media. They reportedly shattered display cases, seized five boxes and snuffboxes from the museum's Luxe de Poche (Pocket Luxury) exhibition, and fled on two scooters — with the raid lasting just minutes.

The exhibition had loaned items from the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre, and some of the stolen items were on loan from the British royal collection, according to Le Monde.

The French ministry of culture said "two particularly important snuff boxes dating from the 18th century" that were on loan from the Louvre had been stolen in the raid.

The value of the stolen objects was about €1 million, local media reported, although Paris City Hall said the figure was still being estimated.

French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati strongly condemned the crime in a statement on Wednesday, calling it a significant blow to France’s cultural heritage due to the "historical value and the precious nature of these pieces".

The Cognacq-Jay Museum, which houses an extensive collection of 18th century art and objects donated by Ernest Cognacq, said on Thursday that it was closed and would reopen on 10 December. Paris authorities said they would provide psychological support for staff and visitors who were at the museum during the heist.