Gold Celtic Torque Stolen in Broad Daylight from Musée du Pays Châtillonnais

On July 24, 2026, the gold torque of the Lady of Vix, a 480-gram Celtic necklace dating to around 500 BC, was stolen in broad daylight from the Musée du Pays Châtillonnais in Châtillon-sur-Seine, France. The thieves entered as visitors and fled through the main entrance within minutes, despite recent security upgrades costing €150,000 after a previous attempt in November 2025 and an intrusion on July 17-18, 2026. Discovered in January 1953 by René Joffroy at the foot of Mont Lassois near Vix, the torque is a masterpiece of Celtic goldsmithing, featuring two winged horses and reflecting Greek and Oriental influences. It was part of a rich funerary assemblage including a monumental bronze krater, a chariot, and other jewelry. The theft follows a series of high-profile museum robberies in France, including the Louvre's Crown Jewels, the Musée Jacques-Chirac in Sarran, the archaeological center of Montans, and the Musée Lalique. The French Minister of Culture was scheduled to speak on July 27 about a museum security plan. Archaeologists fear the torque may be melted for its gold, resulting in an irreversible loss of cultural heritage.