Authorities are investigating a high-value jewel theft at the Musée Lalique in Wingen-sur-Moder, Alsace, where masked intruders made off with pieces valued at around €4 million early Sunday morning. The museum, located in the Vosges mountains near Strasbourg, suffered the raid at approximately 5:30 a.m. when the perpetrators forced entry and targeted six pieces of jewellery crafted by René Lalique’s firm, known for its art nouveau and art deco creations.

Security footage showed the suspects breaking into six separate display cases before fleeing just 11 minutes after the intrusion began. Despite all alarm systems functioning as intended, the security company in charge was criticized for its delayed response. A police investigator noted that by the time the alert was confirmed, a cleaning staff member had already arrived and alerted authorities. The museum is publicly owned, and local officials expressed frustration over the security firm’s failure to act promptly.

Christian Dorschner, the mayor of Wingen-sur-Moder, described the breach as a significant security lapse, saying the thieves appeared highly knowledgeable and focused specifically on the jewellery. “They went first for the jewellery. They must be specialists,” he said. Mayor Dorschner also criticized the security firm’s handling of the incident, emphasizing that multiple alarms sounded during the break-in but no immediate intervention occurred.

Franck Leroy, president of the Grand Est region, condemned the burglary as a profound attack on cultural heritage. He stressed that the loss extends beyond the monetary value, affecting a vital symbol of regional history and craftsmanship. The museum, which opened in 2011 close to the original Lalique workshops, remains closed as staff work to catalogue the stolen items.

René Lalique, who established his workshops in Alsace in 1921, was a pioneering designer transitioning from jewellery to art deco glassworks, producing iconic frosted vases, architectural fittings, and perfume bottles. The workshop later shifted under the direction of Lalique’s son, Marc, who focused on crystal craftsmanship. Today, the plant employs over 200 glassmakers.

This theft echoes broader concerns about security at French cultural institutions following a bold robbery at the Louvre in October. During that incident, four suspects broke in through a first-floor window and made off with royal jewels worth tens of millions of euros. Although those individuals were arrested, none of the stolen items have been recovered. Investigations into both cases have highlighted deficiencies in security infrastructure and management procedures.

Officials across France have urged increased vigilance at museums and galleries to prevent similar occurrences. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies continue their inquiries into the latest high-profile heist targeting one of the country’s most renowned artistic legacies.