A  major robbery occurred at the National Natural History Museum in Paris, escaping with gold specimens worth around  €600,000. The incident  happened  at the museum’s geology and mineralogy gallery in the city’s 5th district.

Police say the criminals used heavy tools, including an angle grinder and a blow torch, to smash open display cases. 

One of the missing pieces is a striking gold and quartz specimen from California, donated by a French collector.

While the stolen items have high financial value, museum officials stress their scientific and cultural importance is far greater. “These are pieces that cannot simply be replaced,” a spokesperson said.

Investigators are also looking into whether a cyberattack on the museum’s security systems in July made the job easier for the thieves. The mineralogy gallery has been closed as checks continue.

The robbery adds to a growing list of thefts from cultural institutions in France. Experts warn the gold could be melted down to hide its origin, destroying artifacts that carry centuries of history and knowledge.