The Louvre’s director has said a “terrible failure” in security at the iconic Paris museum resulted in last weekend’s daylight crown jewel heist, adding that she offered her resignation to France’s culture minister, but it was refused.

Attempting to explain to the French Senate on Wednesday how thieves made off with an estimated 88 million euros ($102m) in jewels, Laurence des Cars acknowledged that staff “did not detect the arrival of the thieves soon enough”.

“Today we are experiencing a terrible failure at the Louvre, which I take my share of responsibility in,” she told the senators, adding that she submitted her resignation to Culture Minister Rachida Dati. She added that Dati, however, turned down the resignation offer.

Des Cars said Sunday’s heist exposed the museum’s shortage of

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