France, Oct. 23 -- The Louvre's director Laurence des Cars acknowledged a "terrible failure" at the museum in her first public comments since thieves cut through a window and made off with nearly €90 million worth of jewellery from one of the galleries.

As police continued their search for the gang, Des Cars told a panel of senators that the museum had a shortage of security cameras outside the building.

She admitted that other weaknesses were exposed by Sunday morning's theft.

"Today we are experiencing a terrible failure at the Louvre, which I take my share of responsibility in," she said.

"We did not detect the arrival of the thieves soon enough." Des Cars told the senators she had tendered her resignation but the Culture Min...