The theft of the French Crown Jewels during the French Revolution is one of the most audacious and legendary heists in French history. In September 1792, amid the chaotic events of the Revolution, a group of thieves managed to steal a significant portion of the French royal crown jewels, including some of the most famous diamonds and precious gemstones in Europe. Here’s a detailed account of this remarkable event.
Note
This article traces just one episode in the history of France’s crown jewels. Indeed, they have a tumultuous and intriguing history that reflects the shifting fortunes of the French monarchy itself. For a full historical overview, click on The jewels of the Crown of France, its eventful history
Context Leading to the Theft of the crown jewels
By 1792, the French Revolution was in full swing. The monarchy had been weakened, and King Louis XVI, along with Queen Marie Antoinette, had been imprisoned after attempting to flee France the previous year. A strong anti-monarchical sentiment permeated Paris, and revolutionary fervor continued to escalate. In the summer of 1792, the monarchy was officially abolished, and the royal possessions, including the famed Crown Jewels, became state property.
At the time, the French Crown Jewels were held in the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne (Crown Furniture Storehouse), a grand building on Place de la Concorde (then called Place Louis XV then Place de la Révolution) in Paris. This building, part of the today Hôtel de la Marine, had served as a storage site for the monarchy’s treasures, including furniture, tapestries, art, and the renowned collection of jewels, many of which were acquired over centuries by French kings and queens. Since François 1er (1494 – 1547).
Monsieur Roland, Minister of the Interior, and Monsieur Restout, in charge of security at the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne, Place de la Révolution, had already sounded the alarm! They considered the security of the site and its treasures to be insufficient. In the salons d’honneur, in addition to the furniture from the royal collections, the crown jewels were on display.
The treasure consisted of over 10,000 stones: diamonds, pearls, rubies, emeralds, topaz and sapphires. Many irreplaceable pieces made up this national treasure, amassed since the 16th century by the kings of France, such as Louis XIV’s “Grand Saphir” and the “Sancy” diamond.
According to the inventory commissioned by the National Constituent Assembly in 1791, the precise inventory includes 9,547 diamonds, 506 pearls, 230 rubies and spinels, 71 topazes, 150 emeralds, 35 sapphires and 19 stones. The price of the jewels is estimated at 23,922,197 livres. The “Régent” at 12 million, the “Bleu de France” at 3 million, and the “Sancy” at 1 million.
A rocky hold-up never really explained
A band of robbers led by a certain Paul Miette broke into the jewelry room to steal the jewels.
Under the cover of darkness, the thieves climbed the façade of the Garde-Meuble using ropes, leaning on the lampposts in the Place de la Révolution. Reaching the first-floor balcony, they were protected from the view of passers-by and were able to break a window pane. They then cut a hole, still visible today, in the inner shutter of the living room where the precious jewels were stored.
Investigators found numerous inconsistencies at the scene. The locks on the cupboards containing the diamonds had not been forced. And how can we seriously believe that 40 rascals could have taken so many valuable possessions, without attracting the attention of the Garde-Meuble staff, four nights in a row? It happends between September 11 and 16, 1792, despite the presence of national guards (their sentry box is on the opposite side of the courtyard from the Salle des bijoux !), and they no longer make rounds after the seals have been affixed on the building.
Finally, at 11 p.m. on the night of September 16, a patrol of guards alerted by suspicious noises spotted a group of thieves. After a search of their pockets full with precious stones, they are arrested. Quickly after, Interior Minister Roland, in charge of the investigation, obtained the death penalty for the thieves caught in the act, as counter-revolutionaries. The thieves, led by a dreaded criminal, Paul Miette, were essentially petty thieves released from prison during the 2 to 6 September massacres. They were partner with the Rouen gang of professional thieves. Twelve were sentenced to death and finally five were guillotined on the very spot where they had committed their crime, Place de la Révolution.
Who ordered the robbery of the crown jewels of France
Suspicions abound as to who really masterminded the theft of the crown jewels. Did they have accomplices inside the building? Did Danton offer the jewels to the Duke of Brunswick to buy the victory of French armies at Valmy on September 20th, 1792 ? Or is this incredible story simply due to the general insecurity prevailing in Paris in September 1792?
The Prussian invasion, a context of revolutionary panic following the imprisonment of the royal family, the Austro-Prussian invasion and rumors of internal plots, as well as the fear of repression and massacres perpetrated by royalists, or their possible allies, if they were released. The “septembriseurs” (“septembrists”) went into prisons in Paris and the provinces and killed a large number of their occupants, whether ecclesiastical, royalist or common law prisoners. This little-known episode of the French Revolution probably claimed over 1,300 lives in Paris and 150 in the rest of France, between September 2 and 6 or 7.
But one fact stands out: Thierry de Ville d’Avray, the last intendant of the Garde-Meuble, was killed at the occasion of this massacre. In fact, another event took place at the beginning of August, which could indicate that the most valuable jewels in the French monarchy’s treasury may not have been stolen in September 1792, but in August.
Un épisode troublant les dimanche 5 et lundi 6 aout 1972
It was reported that “On the Sunday (August 5) and Monday (August 6) preceding the (Friday) August 10, 1792, which marked the end of the monarchy, six trunks stealthily left the Garde-Meuble (National). They belonged to the son-in-law of Garde-Meuble governor Thierry de Ville-d’Avray. His name was Baude de Pont-l’Abbé, and the trunks were sent by Azèle, his confidant, to Prévost d’Arlincourt, ex-fermier général (Paris hotel, rue Saint-Honoré, no. 342). This ex-fermier general, like most of his former colleagues, had smuggled funds into enemy territory.”
Marc-Antoine Thierry de Ville-d’Avray was killed in the Abbaye prison in Paris on September 2, 1792. Jean-Georges-Claude Baude de Pont-l’Abbé emigrated and Louis-Adrien Prévost d’Arlincourt was guillotined in Paris on May 8, 1794. All the protagonists have disappeared from the scene of the moment. Could the Danton-Duke of Brunswick thesis make sense? Or was this August operation simply the evacuation abroad of the crown jewels? And was the theft that became “official” just a way of diverting attention?
How the theft of the French crown jewels unfolded
On the four nights between September 11th and 16th, 1792, a group of thieves executed an elaborate plan to break into the Garde-Meuble. Seizing on the instability of the Revolution, the thieves carefully staged the robbery over multiple nights:
- Initial Entry: The thieves broke in on September 11, gaining access to the building and managing to steal several items without being detected. However, they did not empty the entire collection at once, as this might have drawn suspicion.
- Return Visits: Over the following nights, the thieves returned multiple times to remove more jewels and gemstones. Their tactic was surprisingly effective: by spreading out the thefts, they managed to avoid immediate detection and thus stole much more than if they had attempted a single large heist. They even organized parties with prostitutes.
- Discovery: Eventually, the break-in was discovered, and the scale of the theft became apparent. A substantial portion of the French Crown Jewels had been stolen, including the famous Sancy Diamond, Regent Diamond, and Blue Diamond of the Crown (a large blue diamond, which some believe was later recut to become the Hope Diamond (Now at the Smithsonian Institute of Washington since 1958 ). The loss included diamonds, pearls, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, some of which were historically priceless due to their association with previous monarchs.
Investigation and Aftermath after the theft of the crown jewels
Sancy and Régent diamonds
The theft triggered a major investigation, but the political and social turmoil of the Revolution made it difficult to track down the thieves. Several suspects were eventually arrested, and eight of them were found guilty of “conspiracy to despoil the Republic” and sentenced to death by guillotine. Some jewels were recovered recovered two years later. But many pieces disappeared forever. Here’s what happened to some of the most famous stones:
- The Regent Diamond: Considered one of the most valuable diamonds in the collection, it was eventually recovered. Napoleon later set it in the hilt of his sword, and it remains on display in the Louvre Museum today.
- The Sancy Diamond (Part of the Mazarin Collection): This diamond, which had a long and storied history, was recovered as well. Sancy Diamond was found in Russia at Vasily Rudanovsky collection. It is now in the Louvre’s collection.
- The Blue Diamond of the Crown: The Royal French Blue diamond vanished and was not recovered as such. Decades later, a large blue diamond appeared in London, eventually finding its way to the United States. Known as the Hope Diamond, it is believed by some to be a recut version of the Blue Diamond of the Crown. However, this theory remains unconfirmed.
- The French Crown Jewels as a Whole: After the recovery of some pieces, the remaining jewels were used by successive French rulers, including Napoleon and the restored Bourbon and Orléans monarchs. However, in 1887, the Third French Republic decided to auction off the Crown Jewels (excluding a few key pieces kept as historical artifacts). The sale dispersed the jewels across the world, leading to their acquisition by various collectors and museums.
In modern terms, the French Crown Jewels would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars today. It is particularly true with the added historical and cultural significance of pieces like the Regent Diamond, the Grand Mazarin, and other famous gems.
Who Were the Thieves?
The identities of all the thieves remain uncertain, though it’s believed that the heist involved a mix of criminals and possibly insiders with knowledge of the Garde-Meuble. The instability of the Revolution made it easier for these criminals to pull off such a brazen robbery, as law enforcement was strained, and anti-monarchical sentiment meant there was little public sympathy for the loss of royal property. Some thieves were arrested, but it’s likely that many participants escaped unpunished.
Legacy of the theft of the crown jewels
The theft of the Crown Jewels was one of many symbolic blows to the French monarchy during the Revolution.
The jewels, once symbols of absolute power and dynastic continuity, were scattered across the world, reflecting the Revolution’s aim of dismantling France’s ancient regime and redistributing its wealth. The heist remains a popular subject in French history, and many of the recovered pieces are now displayed in the Louvre Museum, where they continue to draw interest for their beauty and their dramatic story.
Today, the Crown Jewels of France are no longer as cohesive a collection as they once were, but they continue to captivate due to their historical significance, their craftsmanship, and the mystery surrounding the jewels that were lost forever in the theft of 1792.
How many and which jewels were never recovered by the French after their theft in 1792?
After the notorious theft of the French Crown Jewels in 1792, several pieces were either permanently lost or only partially accounted for. While many were eventually recovered, some of the most remarkable jewels vanished without a trace. The jewels were dispersed, sold, or recut after the 1792 theft. Despite efforts to recover the jewels, some of the most valuable pieces, like the French Blue, were irretrievably lost, and many were never returned to France. Here’s an overview of the missing jewels and their significance:
1. Blue Diamond of the Crown (French Blue)
- Description: This large blue diamond, weighing around 69 carats, was one of the most famous stones in the French Crown Jewels. It was originally brought to France by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier and was later cut into a triangular shape by King Louis XIV’s jeweler, becoming known as the “French Blue.”
- Fate: The French Blue was not recovered after the 1792 theft. It is widely believed that it was later recut into a smaller 45.52-carat diamond, now known as the Hope Diamond. Although unproven, the similarity in size, shape, and color between the French Blue and the Hope Diamond has led many to believe they are the same stone.
2. The Mirror of Portugal (Part of the Mazarin Collection)
- Description: A large, colorless diamond, known as the “Mirror of Portugal,” was historically worn by French queens and other royal women. It was of exceptional clarity and brilliance, making it a highly prized gem.
- Fate: This diamond was not recovered after the heist, and its current whereabouts remain unknown. Some historians suggest it may have been sold or recut, but no verifiable evidence has emerged to confirm its fate.
3. Mazarin Diamonds
- Description: Named after Cardinal Mazarin, these were a set of 18 diamonds that he bequeathed to the French Crown in the 17th century. Among them, the most famous were:
- The Mazarin I (or the “Grand Mazarin”): a 19.07-carat pale pink diamond.
- The Mazarin II: a 25.7-carat diamond.
- Fate: While the Grand Mazarin was eventually recovered (it was auctioned in 2017 and is now privately owned), several of the other smaller Mazarin diamonds were lost after the heist. Their specific identities are harder to trace due to their smaller size, but some are presumed lost forever.
4. Various Pearls, Sapphires, and Rubies
- Description: The French Crown Jewels also included an assortment of pearls, rubies, sapphires, and other precious gemstones, which were used to decorate crowns, scepters, and ceremonial jewelry.
- Fate: A significant portion of these smaller gems were never recovered. Many were likely sold or broken up, disappearing into private collections. Unlike the large, famous diamonds, these smaller jewels were easier to disperse and sell without drawing attention.
In total, over a dozen major gemstones were lost, while many more minor stones and decorative gems disappeared into private hands. Despite exhaustive searches and investigations, the exact number of jewels lost has not been conclusively documented, due to incomplete records and the chaotic nature of the time.
Is the Hope Diamond bad luck?
The Hope is famously alleged to have been surrounded by bad luck. Marie Antoinette who supposedly wore it was beheaded (in fact, it was actually worn by her husband, Louis XVI, although he too was beheaded).
Other owners and their families experienced suicides, marriage break-ups, bankruptcy, deaths in car crashes, falls off cliffs, revolutions, mental breakdowns, and deaths through drug overdoses. It was even tangentially associated with the case of the murdered Lindbergh baby, through its then owner, silver heiress Evalyn Walsh McLean.
The first mention of such tales is documented to 1908. Pierre Cartier, the Parisian jeweler, is widely credited with publicizing the stories of a curse on the diamond in hopes of increasing its saleability.
Since 1958, it has been in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., where it is the single most-viewed object in the Smithsonian’s collection.
Historians still searching for the missing jewels
The missing jewels, particularly the French Blue and the Mirror of Portugal, continue to intrigue historians and gem enthusiasts worldwide. It’s a mystery linked to the legacy of the French monarchy and the upheavals of the French Revolution, which is still very much alive today.
Notable Recovered Jewels
After the Revolution, some jewels were later identified and returned to the French government. The two main jewels returned to the French are :
- The Regent Diamond: Recovered after the heist, it is one of the most famous diamonds in the French Crown Jewels and remains on display in the Louvre.
- The Sancy Diamond (Part of the Mazarin Collection): Another major gemstone that was eventually retrieved and is also now in the Louvre.
How much were the Crown Jewels worth before they were stolen in 1792?
Before their dramatic theft in 1792, the French Crown Jewels were estimated to be worth a substantial sum, though exact figures vary due to changing gem valuations, inflation, and incomplete inventories.
A fairly precise reference is the price asked in 1772 by jewelers Charles Boehmer and Paul Bassenge for the famous “Queen’s necklace”, which ended in scandal. It was the sum of 1,600,000 livres or approximately €27,513,000 today. At the time, this sum was also equivalent to three castles, each surrounded by 500 hectares of land !
Note: for more information, click on “The Queen’s necklace affair: everything you need to know“
Here are some other key details regarding their value:
1. Estimated Total Value
- In 1791, the total value of the French Crown Jewels was roughly estimated at 30 million livres, a massive amount at the time. About 20 times the value of the Queen’s necklace.
2. Valuation of Individual Jewels
- The Crown Jewels included several world-famous diamonds and gems, each valued highly on its own:
- The Regent Diamond (140.64 carats), one of the most valuable jewels, was estimated at over 12 million livres alone. Today, it is priceless due to its historical importance and is displayed in the Louvre.
- The French Blue Diamond (about 69 carats), valued around 3 million livres. This diamond was recut and eventually became the Hope Diamond, worth over $200 million today. Now at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington (DC).
- The Sancy Diamond (55 carats) was also of immense value, worth several million livres.
3. The Mazarin Diamonds
- The set of 18 Mazarin Diamonds, donated to the Crown by Cardinal Mazarin, were collectively worth several million livres. These diamonds included notable pieces like the Grand Mazarin (a pale pink diamond weighing 19.07 carats), which was appraised at a high value due to its rarity and color.
4. Other Components
- Jewelry Sets, Crowns, and Regalia: Besides individual gemstones, the collection included entire jewelry sets, such as Marie Antoinette’s pearl necklaces, ceremonial crowns, and scepters adorned with precious stones, which added significantly to the collection’s worth. Un other exemple is the Toison d’Or of Louis XV made of several diamonds as the French Blue Diamond of 69 carats in the lower part and the light bleue diamant of 33 carats, formerly known as “Bazu”, at the upper part .
- Gold and Enamel Work: Many pieces also featured intricate goldsmithing, enamel work, and pearls, enhancing both their artistic and financial value.
5. Significance and Historical Worth
- Beyond their monetary value, the Crown Jewels held immense historical and symbolic value as a representation of the French monarchy’s power, wealth, and cultural patronage. Their worth was enhanced by their association with figures like Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Marie Antoinette.
Note
Later in the following century (19e century), the Crown Jewels of France were augmented by jewels added by Napoleon I and Napoleon III – See our post The jewels of the Crown of France, its eventful history