The most spectacular heist at the Louvre since the disappearance of the Mona Lisa in 1911 has raised serious questions about security levels surrounding French art, at a time when they are increasingly becoming targets for criminal groups.
According to the new French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, the gang that broke into the "Apollo" Gallery on Sunday morning was decidedly professional.
They knew what they wanted, had obviously "cased the place" beforehand, had a daringly simple but effective method of operation, and needed no more than seven minutes to take their loot and escape.
With a truck equipped with a lifting platform of the type used by porters, they parked on the street outside, lifted themselves to the first floor, and then used a disc cutter to enter through a window.
In the richly decorated gallery, they headed for two showcases containing what remained of the French royal jewels.
Most of the French royal regalia were lost or sold after the Revolution in 1789, but some items were saved or bought back. Most of what was in the showcases, however, dates from the 19th century and the two imperial families of Napoleon and his nephew Napoleon III.
According to the authorities, eight items were taken, including diadems, necklaces, earrings, and brooches.
They belonged to Napoleon's wife, Empress Marie-Louise; to his daughter-in-law, Queen Hortense of Holland; to Queen Marie-Amelie, wife of the last King of France Louis-Philippe, who ruled from 1830 to 1848; and to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, who ruled from 1852 to 1870.