The Louvre's cameras failed to detect burglars in time to prevent their audacious daylight heist of some of France's crown jewels, the museum's director has said.

The thieves used a crane and smashed an upstairs window before stealing jewels worth an estimated 88 million euros ($157 million).

They then escaped on motorbikes.

News of the theft, which occurred steps away from the Mona Lisa, reverberated around the world and prompted soul-searching in France over what some viewed as a national humiliation. Loading...

Louvre director Laurence des Cars told senators that she had offered her resignation, but it had been refused by Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who has also come under fire after the robbery.

"Despite our efforts, despite our hard work every day, we were defeated," Ms des

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