France, Oct. 22 -- The Louvre reopened to visitors on Wednesday, three days after thieves pulled off a spectacular jewel heist worth €88 million.

Crowds gathered early at the museum's glass pyramid, eager to return after the rare closure.

The reopening came as director Laurence des Cars prepared to face the French Senate later Wednesday to explain how one of the world's most secure museums was robbed.

Four thieves broke into the Louvre's Galerie d'Apollon on Sunday and escaped with eight treasures, including Empress Eugenie's diamond diadem and sapphires once worn by Queen Marie-Amelie and Hortense de Beauharnais.

The theft has stunned France and drawn global attention, fuelling a heated debate over museum security and public ac...