The black series continues. While several museums have recently been victims of theft, the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) has just lost almost six kilograms of gold nuggets, stolen from its mineralogy and geology gallery on the night of September 15 to 16.
Among the stolen parts was a nugget of 5.25 kg, the largest in the collection from Australia. Composed of native gold, it has a higher heritage and scientific interest in its market value. Other nuggets came from Bolivia, California or even French Guiana. One of them had been given by Tsar Nicolas I. “An exceptional mass, one of the first discoveries in French Guyana, was also part of the lot”said Gildas Illien, deputy director of the Museum’s collections, in Franceinfo. The total flight is estimated at 600,000 euros.
According to the first elements of the investigation, the flight was committed by professionals. The burglars passed through the grid of the plant garden, along the building, broke a armored window using a torch, then sawed a service door. The abandoned tools were discovered the next morning by an employee. An investigation for organized gang flight has been opened. Investigators believe that at least three people entered the museum’s grounds.
The Museum had already undergone a cyber attack at the end of July 2025, paralyzing its computer systems. According to The Parisianalarm and video surveillance had not worked for several weeks. Emmanuel Skoulios, Deputy Managing Director of the Museum, however denied saying that “Alarm and video surveillance systems worked”. The gallery is closed until further notice and placed under reinforced surveillance.
Founded in 1793, the Museum now houses 770,000 geological and mineral specimens. The origins of the collection go back to the reign of Louis XIII, whose drug addict contained minerals for medicinal use. The gallery was built in 1833, gradually enriching its funds.
