French cultural officials reported that 15 art works were stolen from a Chinese museum south of Paris, including a replica crown of the King of Siam given to France in the 19th century.
Police have launched an investigation.
The break-in occured on Sunday at the Chinese Museum in Fontainebleau Castle and was over in less than seven minutes, according to the Culture Ministry.
A Castle spokesman said he had no estimation of the pieces’ value and called them "priceless".
The stolen objects were assembled by Empress Eugenie, the wife of Emperor Napoleon III, for her Chinese museum in 1863.
