PARIS (Reuters) -A jewellery heist at Paris' Louvre museum has cast France in a "deplorable" light, Justice Minister Gerard Darmanin said on Monday as opposition politicians criticised the government for what they branded a national humiliation.

LONDON -- As the alarms sounded at the Louvre Museum on Sunday morning, four suspects took off on two motorbikes, winding their way through central Paris, allegedly carrying with them a haul of "priceless" jewelry once worn by queens and made of sapphire, diamonds and emeralds.

The group of theives, described as 'highly organised', broke into the Louvre on Sunday morning using power tools before fleeing on scooters with eight pricess pieces of jewellery - sparking an evacuat

In a 'brazen' robbery at the Louvre museum in Paris, thieves broke into the Apollo Gallery and stole a number of items of jewellery. Thieves broke into the museum at about 09:30 local time (08:30 BST) - shortly before the attraction opened to visitors. The thieves were said to have been carrying small chainsaws and escaped on a scooter.

A daring daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum shocks the world as thieves make off with priceless royal jewellery. Learn more about the audacious heist and its impact on France's cultural institutions.

The plan of the brazen gang who scaled the Louvre in broad daylight before stealing artefacts worth millions has been revealed

The world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris was evacuated and closed today following a confirmed robbery at opening time. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati is on site.

France's Ministry of Culture has released a list of the jewelry items stolen from the Louvre Museum during a robbery on Oct. 19. The weapon-wielding thieves made off with millions of dollars worth of valuables,