Ancient Celtic gold torque stolen from French museum in daylight raid
A priceless Celtic gold torque dating back about 2,500 years has been stolen from the Musée du Pays Châtillonnais – Trésor de Vix in Châtillon-sur-Seine, France. The theft took place on July 24 after suspects entered the museum as paying visitors before smashing the display case during opening hours and escaping through the main entrance with the artifact.
According to Dijon prosecutor Olivier Caracotch, the suspects entered the museum at around 10:30 a.m. after purchasing admission tickets. They broke the protective display case containing the gold necklace and fled before they could be stopped. French authorities have opened an investigation into the theft as an organized crime case.
The stolen object, known as the Torque of the Lady of Vix or Princess of Vix, dates to the fifth century BC and is regarded as one of France’s most significant archaeological treasures. Following the robbery, the museum closed temporarily while investigators examined the crime scene.
Jérémie Brigand, mayor of Châtillon-sur-Seine and president of the local authority, described the circumstances of the theft as highly unusual, underscoring the exceptional nature of the incident.
The successful robbery followed two failed break-in attempts targeting the museum. One occurred in November 2025 and another in mid-July 2026, less than a week before the theft. Art detective Arthur Brand also noted on social media that thieves had previously stolen a Roman statue of Bacchus from the same institution, raising concerns about repeated security breaches.
The torque forms part of the renowned Treasure of Vix, a collection of Celtic and Greek artifacts uncovered in 1953 inside the burial mound of a high-ranking Celtic woman near the village of Vix in Burgundy. The gold necklace weighs about 480 grams and features terminals shaped like lion paws, making it one of the finest surviving examples of ancient Celtic goldsmithing.
The artifact has long been recognized as one of Europe’s most important archaeological discoveries. Its historical significance extends beyond France, offering valuable insight into the wealth, craftsmanship, and cultural connections of Iron Age Celtic societies.
The theft also comes amid a broader series of museum burglaries reported in France and Italy in recent months. Among them was the March 2026 theft of paintings by Cézanne, Matisse, and Renoir from a museum near Parma. No arrests have been announced in the Vix case, and the ancient gold torque remains missing.
