On Sunday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 a.m., two thieves broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing more than $100 million worth of royal jewelry in under eight minutes. The museum reopened on Wednesday morning despite the ongoing hunt for the perpetrators.

The bold robbery took place in broad daylight as tourists filled the museum. The thieves used a mechanical ladder mounted atop a truck to lift themselves to the second floor of the Apollo Gallery. They then sawed open a window, entered the gallery and smashed two display cases, setting off alarms. They stole eight pieces of jewelry, including crown diamonds, as well as an emerald necklace with matching earrings and the diadem of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. The thieves escaped the same way they entered, then sped away with accomplices on motorized scooters.

The heist has sparked accusations that the Louvre’s security systems were insufficient, though many say the alarms went off as expected and police were quickly notified. Museumgoers were evacuated by staff and security personnel, and the building was subsequently closed. Regardless of whether blame lies with lax security measures, it is clear that a gap in the protection of the museum’s prized jewels allowed for the robbery.

Shock has turned to anger as French citizens cope with the loss of such important pieces of their history. The clock is ticking as the search for the culprits continues. Authorities believe the thieves may break apart and melt down the loot for resale. Officials hope, however, that those behind the robbery — likely a criminal gang — will keep the jewelry intact, which would yield a significantly higher profit.

The Louvre reopened Wednesday morning, though the absence of the jewels has left many Parisians with mixed feelings about returning to the museum. As the investigation grows in size and urgency, people around the world may have to come to terms with the fact that a critical piece of French culture could be lost forever.