The meticulously planned brazen heist happened just after opening time on Sunday (local time) in Paris and was over in only a handful of minutes.

One stolen item was reportedly dropped as the group of three or four balaclava-clad robbers escaped the same way they came in. A manhunt remains under way.

The piece found outside the museum was reportedly the crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. It was made in the 1850s and contains 2480 diamonds and 56 emeralds.

The crown of Napoleon’s wife, Empress Eugenie. Photo: Louvre

Media outlet BFM reported the loot was believed to include jewels belonging to Napoleon III and other royal treasures.

The BBC reports the thieves’ vehicle-mounted ladder was parked outside a balcony leading to the Galerie d’Apollon (Gallery of Apollo), which

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