The robbers triggered the alarm at the Adrien Dubouche institute in Limoges early on Thursday. They smashed a window to gain entry, said a source, who asked not to be named. The museum said the gang made off with two particularly important dishes of Chinese porcelain dating from the 14th and 15th centuries and an 18th-century Chinese vase, all designated as national treasures. Police were told the haul was worth about 9.5m (8.2m).