Gold torque of Vix stolen from Musée du Pays châtillonnais; national museum security plan announced
On July 24, 2026, the gold torque belonging to the Lady of Vix was taken from the Musée du Pays châtillonnais in Châtillon-sur-Seine. The thieves, disguised as museum-goers, executed the heist in daylight and exited through the main doors. Mayor Jérémie Brigand described their actions as highly skilled. Despite the museum's recent investment of €150,000 in enhanced security measures, including new cameras and armored doors, the theft occurred. This torque, weighing approximately 480 grams, was unearthed by René Joffroy in January 1953 and dates back to the 6th-5th centuries BCE. In response to this incident, Culture Minister Catherine Pégard announced a swift national security initiative for museums, amid a wave of notable robberies in France.
Key facts
- Gold torque of the Lady of Vix stolen on July 24, 2026 from Musée du Pays châtillonnais – Trésor de Vix.
- Theft occurred in broad daylight; thieves posed as visitors and left through main entrance.
- Museum had two prior attempted burglaries; €150,000 security upgrade failed to prevent theft.
- Torque weighs nearly 480 grams, discovered in 1953 by René Joffroy in the Vix princely tomb.
- Origin debated: Greek/Etruscan goldsmith vs. local artisan with assimilated influences.
- Tomb also contained a parade chariot and a 1.65m bronze Greek krater.
- Part of a series of museum thefts in France; Culture Minister Catherine Pégard announced national security plan.
- Plan originally expected end of summer, now accelerated to July 27 or soon after.
- Concern torque may be melted; precedent of recovered gold helmet of Coțofenești offers hope.
Entities
Artists
- René Joffroy
Institutions
- Musée du Pays châtillonnais – Trésor de Vix
- Musée Lalique
- Musée du Louvre
- Galerie d'Apollon
- Musée du Hiéron
- Musée Cognacq-Jay
- Musée national Adrien Dubouché de Limoges
- Drents Museum
- Musée national d'Histoire de Roumanie
- Paris Match
- Beaux Arts Magazine
- Musée du Pays Châtillonnais – Trésor de Vix
- Le Parisien
- France 3
- Juridiction interrégionale spécialisée (JIRS)
- Communauté de Communes du Pays Châtillonnais
- Louvre
- Lalique Museum
- Musée du Pays Châtillonnais
- Le Monde
Locations
- Châtillon-sur-Seine
- Côte-d'Or
- France
- Limoges
- Netherlands
- Romania
- Burgundy
- Dijon
- Nancy
- Paris
- Wingen-sur-Moder
- Alsace
- Mont Lassois
- Vix
- Sybaris
- Italy