The only camera monitoring the exterior wall of the Louvre where they broke in was pointing away from the first-floor balcony that led to Gallery of Apollo housing the jewels, she said. "We failed these jewels," she said, adding that no-one was protected from "brutal criminals - not even the Louvre".

Louvre Museum reopens after audacious art heist of 8 crown jewels. Director admits security failures, sparking debate over museum safety and government oversight.

Master jeweler Stephen Portier said the Louvre robbers might recut the stolen gems, which would significantly decrease their value.

In a minutes-long strike Sunday inside the Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, thieves smashed display cases and fled with priceless Napoleonic jewels, officials said.

The Louvre reopens after a daring theft of crown jewels, with 100 investigators searching for suspects and stolen treasures.