Louvre museum robbery: How the thieves broke in, what they stole and what happens next

The French culture ministry said eight pieces were stolen – but not the hugely valuable crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugenie

A police car patrols in the courtyard of the closed Louvre museum after a robbery on Sunday. Picture: AP Photo/Thibault Camus

The Louvre — the world’s most-visited museum — was closed suddenly on Sunday after a break-in at its Apollon gallery, the home of the French crown jewels — part of a daring daylight heist that saw priceless Napoleonic jewels stolen.

As French police hunt the thieves who stole eight pieces of historic jewellery, questions are being asked about how they did it and who would be in the market for “priceless” items, including a necklace Napoleon gave to his wife.