French Museum Heist: 2,500-Year-Old Gold Collar Stolen in Daylight
A 2,500-year-old gold collar, known as a torque, was stolen from the Musée du Pays Châtillonnais in Châtillon-sur-Seine, France, on July 24, 2026. The theft occurred in broad daylight, with the perpetrators entering the museum as tourists, paying the admission fee, and then smashing the display case to steal the torque. This piece is part of the Vix Treasure, an archaeological collection discovered in 1953, and is made of 24-karat gold, weighing approximately one pound. The museum had previously faced two failed burglary attempts in the past eight months, prompting an investment of €150,000 in security upgrades. Despite these measures, the thieves managed to escape with the torque, leaving behind the most significant piece of the collection, a massive bronze vessel. 
