The Louvre in Paris reopened on Wednesday, three days after thieves made off with historic jewellery worth an estimated 88 million euros ($102 million) in a spectacular heist that has raised urgent questions over security lapses at the museum.

The theft of priceless jewels from the Louvre in daylight has sent shockwaves through France, but the country is far from the first to be stung by art thieves.

French authorities are under growing scrutiny about whether security failings allowed four thieves to steal royal jewelry worth over $100 million.

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.

The Louvre museum in Paris announced it would remain closed Monday as investigations continue into Sunday’s extraordinary theft of historic jewelry – and experts say the prospects of recovering the treasures are slim.

Taiwan’s National Palace Museum is stepping up security after a major robbery at the Louvre in Paris saw some of France's priceless crown jewels stolen. The museum in Taipei is running more emergency drills and enlisting the help of its K-9 unit to prevent a similar heist attempt.

A minute-by-minute look at the daring Louvre robbery, using maps, photos and video to unravel how one of the world’s most famous museums was breached.

Thieves entered the Louvre from the outside using a basket lift on Sunday and made away with priceless jewels, France’s interior minister said, as the museum closed for the day. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez called it a “major robbery.