Monet Painting Severely Damaged

A surveillance camera caught a group entering the museum, located on the Left Bank of the French capital along the Seine River and housing a major collection of Impressionist artists like Monet. An alarm sounded and the group left, but not before damaging the painting, an aide to Culture Minister Christine Albanel said by telephone. No arrests were immediately made.

Albanel told France-Info radio that the painting could be restored, but she deplored what she said was an attack on "our memory, our heritage." "This splendid Monet painting (was) punched right in the middle," the minister said with emotion. According to the aide, a 10-centimetre tear was made in the Monet, perhaps with a fist. The official, not authorized to speak publicly of the matter, asked not to be named.

*****

The break-in occurred as Paris held its annual all-night festival, which brings thousands of people into the streets for music, exhibits and fun.