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| Chinese art stolen from France's Fontainebleau castle | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Thieves have broken into Fontainebleau castle and stolen 15 Chinese artefacts in a lightning raid, the French culture ministry has said. | |
| The robbery, at the Empress' Chinese Museum housed by the castle, was over in seven minutes, the authorities said. | |
| Among the items taken was a replica of a crown of the King of Siam, now Thailand, given to Emperor Napoleon III in 1861. | Among the items taken was a replica of a crown of the King of Siam, now Thailand, given to Emperor Napoleon III in 1861. |
| Officials at Fontainebleau castle called the objects "priceless". | |
| "They were among the most beautiful pieces in the museum," said Jean-Francois Hebert, who runs Fontainebleau castle, about 50km (30 miles) south-east of Paris. | |
| "We think they (the thieves) were very determined, knew exactly what they were looking for and worked in a very professional manner," he added. | "We think they (the thieves) were very determined, knew exactly what they were looking for and worked in a very professional manner," he added. |
| The castle has been used by French kings since the 12th Century. It is now a national museum and a Unesco World Heritage Site. | The castle has been used by French kings since the 12th Century. It is now a national museum and a Unesco World Heritage Site. |
| The Chinese Museum houses works once belonging to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. | The Chinese Museum houses works once belonging to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. |
| The French culture ministry described it as "one of the most secure parts of the castle, equipped with alarms and surveillance cameras". | The French culture ministry described it as "one of the most secure parts of the castle, equipped with alarms and surveillance cameras". |
| An investigation is underway. | An investigation is underway. |