Thieves stole priceless jewels from the world-famous Louvre in Paris in a daring heist that forced the museum to close for the day, officials said.

The thieves allegedly broke in using a ladder mounted on the back of a truck as the museum was opening, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told radio station France Inter.

The culprits stole jewels of "inestimable value," before fleeing the scene on motor scooters, he said, adding the operation "lasted seven minutes."