Security protocols "failed" in preventing a major jewellery heist at the Louvre museum in Paris, leaving the country with a "terrible image", France's justice minister has said.

It took less than eight minutes for thieves to steal 88 million euros ($102 million) worth of crown jewels in a weekend heist at the world’s most visited museum, the Louvre, shocking the world.

Nuñez describe di stolen jewels "priceless" and "of immeasurable heritage value".