A bold daylight robbery at the Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, has left France shocked after priceless royal jewels were stolen. Authorities say the stolen items are worth 88 million euros, or about $102 million.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the financial loss was huge, but the theft’s biggest damage was to France’s historical heritage. She warned that thieves would not benefit much if they destroyed the jewels.

The robbery took place on Sunday morning, shortly after the museum opened. Thieves, believed to be part of an organised crime group, used a mechanical ladder to reach the second floor, broke a window, and entered the Apollo Gallery. In less than eight minutes, they stole eight pieces of royal jewellery, including a diamond-studded crown, a royal sapphire necklace, a royal emerald necklace with matching earrings, and a diadem once worn by Empress Eugénie.

Beccuau said the thieves would likely struggle to sell the jewels if they were broken or melted. France’s culture ministry confirmed that the stolen pieces were not insured, which is common for state collections due to high insurance costs.

Authorities believe four people were involved in the robbery. Detectives are analysing fingerprints and reviewing video footage from around the museum and major highways, as the thieves escaped on scooters.

This heist has renewed concerns about security in French museums, following recent thefts at Paris’s Natural History Museum and a museum in Limoges.