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.

Monica Wu was about to start a tour with a group of visitors early on Sunday, when she noticed some of the entrances being closed and access being denied to parts of the museum's areas. That's when she realised that there had been a heist and the museum's most prized treasures had been stolen.

One of the most infamous heists in the cultural institution’s history was the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa—when Pablo Picasso numbered among the suspects.

Several paintings have been stolen from the celebrated Parisian museum, including the Mona Lisa. Over the course of its history, it has steadily improved its security.

Louvre heist happened during the morning hours with robbers entering through the windows a few minutes after the museum opened to the visitors.

Visitors were asked to leave Paris Louvre after reports of a robbery at the museum. Video Credit: Monica Louvre Museum Guided Tour/ @LouvreGuide via X

One day after four men staged a heist of the Louvre Museum, French officials were looking Monday to find the thieves and the priceless jewels they swiped.