The Louvre Museum in Paris remained closed for a second consecutive day on Monday as authorities intensified their search for masked thieves responsible for a brazen daylight heist. The audacious robbery, which took place on Sunday, saw the thieves steal nine pieces of priceless jewelry, including the crown of Empress Eugenie, adorned with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds. The crown was dropped and damaged during the escape, highlighting the chaotic nature of the crime. According to officials, the thieves executed the robbery in just seven minutes, using a truck equipped with an extendable ladder to access the museum’s Apollo Gallery through a window. The stolen items, which include a diamond-and-emerald necklace gifted by Napoleon I to his wife, Empress Marie-Louise, and a diadem belonging to Empress Eugenie, are considered irreplaceable. The heist has reignited concerns over the security of France’s cultural institutions, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez calling for enhanced protection measures. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin admitted to significant lapses in security, describing the incident as a national embarrassment. This marks the first theft from the Louvre since 1998, when a painting by Camille Corot was stolen and never recovered. The museum, home to iconic works like the Mona Lisa, may remain closed until Wednesday, disrupting the plans of thousands of visitors. The robbery underscores a troubling trend of museum thefts in France, with several high-profile incidents reported in recent months.