French culture minister says Louvre security worked during jewel heist

PARIS – France's culture minister said Tuesday that the security apparatus installed at the Louvre worked properly during a dramatic weekend heist in which historic jewels were stolen from the world’s most-visited museum.

Questions have arisen about the Louvre security — and whether security cameras might have failed — after thieves rode a basket lift up the Louvre’s facade , forced a window, smashed display cases and fled with priceless Napoleonic jewels on Sunday morning.

“The Louvre museum’s security apparatus did not fail, that is a fact," the minister, Rachida Dati, told lawmakers in the National Assembly. "The Louvre museum’s security apparatus worked.”

Dati said she launched an administrative inquiry that comes in addition to a police investigation to ensure full transpare