<h1>Masked intruders use basket lift in daylight heist, smash cases and escape with Napoleonic jewels; one crown recovered</h1> The Louvre closed for a day after a daylight heist in which masked intruders used a basket lift to reach an upper window, forced entry, smashed display cases and fled on motorcycles with eight Napoleonic jewels from the Apollon Gallery; one large emerald-set crown was later recovered nearby. Government officials acknowledged security failures, noting recovered evidence including a motorcycle with a license plate and an attempted arson of the lift foiled by security officers. Investigators are processing the scene. Authorities said a recently launched museum modernization plan, including €700 million for security and infrastructure upgrades, aims to address vulnerabilities.