Thieves have used a basket lift to break into the Louvre, forcing a window, smashing display cases and escaping with jewels of "inestimable value", France's interior minister says, as the world's most visited museum closes for the day.

"A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum," Culture Minister Rachida Dati wrote on X.

The museum cited "exceptional reasons" for the closure. No injuries were reported.

The Interior Ministry said several intruders forced open a window about 9.30am on Sunday, stole jewels from vitrines and fled on two-wheelers.

The ministry said forensic work was under way and a precise inventory of the stolen objects was being compiled, adding that the items have "inestimable" historical and patrimonial value.

Dati and Interior Minister Lau

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