The heist at the Louvre in Paris has shocked the art world, though such spectacular thefts have a long tradition. What drove the perpetrators, and where might the loot end up?

The heist at the Louvre in Paris on Sunday is the latest major robbery of artworks and precious objects from museums. They seized two major artworks — "The Scream" and "Madonna" — in a 50-second operation,

Nine priceless items were stolen from the Louvre during a daring daytime heist on Oct. 19. Here's what was stolen and how the thieves did it.

Video shows one of the suspected Louvre jewel thieves brazenly cutting through a glass case using a mini chainsaw before making off with the loot during Sunday’s heist at the Paris

From the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 to the French Crown Jewels heist this past weekend, the Parisian musuem has seen some audacious crimes over the decades.

French authorities are investigating after a robbery at the Louvre museum in Paris saw a group of thieves get away with "priceless" jewellery on moped this morning. Large numbers of tourists who wanted to see the Mona Lisa had their plans thwarted, after the Louvre said it would stay closed for "exceptional reasons".

The Louvre was a former royal palace that became a museum after the French Revolution. It is the world’s largest art museum, home to some of the most famous artworks in the world, like the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Authorities were racing Monday to reassure the public about security at key cultural sites — and find the jewels stolen from the museum before they can be broken up and melted down.