Twenty-four hours after the theft at the Louvre Museum, agents of the Maison des Lumières Museum in Langres discovered, Monday morning, that part of the “museum treasure” was missing. Hundreds of silver and gold coins dating from the 17th to the 18th century were stolen during the night from Sunday to Monday.
According to initial findings, the thieves entered through the main door, which shows signs of break-in. They then went to the treasure display case, broke it, and then took away only some of the pieces. These elements suggest that they knew the location perfectly and had carefully prepared their operation, targeting specific parts. They left the rest of the collections behind. The alarm sounded during the burglary but the doubt removal procedure carried out during the night revealed nothing abnormal!
The treasure in question comes from a discovery linked to the very history of the museum. During the restoration of the Hôtel de Breuil in Saint-Germain, between 2009 and 2013, a worker discovered, in November 2011, while removing the woodwork, nearly 2,000 pieces: 1,633 in silver and 319 in gold. Their total value was then estimated at €90,000, shared between the “inventor” of the discovery and the City, owner of the building, in accordance with the law.
The building, built in 1576, came into the possession of the du Breuil family at the beginning of the 19th century. It was given in 1923 to the Historical and Archaeological Society of Langres, on condition that it be turned into a museum. Since then, it has been dedicated to the philosopher Denis Diderot, a native of the city, and brings together scientific instruments, works of art and historical objects. The facades and roofs are classified as historic monuments.
An investigation was opened following the complaint filed by the museum with the gendarmerie. Security measures have been taken: the museum has closed its doors until further notice and has called on a security company to provide night surveillance, pending an upgrade to the security devices.
This theft occurs shortly after the new director of the museum, Virginie Dewisme, took office on September 1. She also directs the Guy-Baillet Museum of Art and History. Before that, she had worked at the Louvre Museum, in Paris and Lens, as well as at the Museum of Fine Arts in Arras. The position had been vacant since February 28, following the departure of Olivier Caumont.
