Thieves nab 2-million-euro haul from vaunted French chateau
(Artdaily.org)

The owners of a 17th-century French palace said to be the model for Versailles were tied up as their opulent home was ransacked Thursday by robbers who fled with a haul worth two million euros ($2.2 million), police said. The Vaux-le-Vicomte chateau, set amid sumptuous gardens about 50 kilometres (30 miles) southeast of Paris, has been owned by the same family since 1875. A police source said six hooded but unarmed robbers found neckties belonging to Patrice de Vogue, 90, to tie up him and his wife Cristina, 78, in their lodging on the grounds of the palace. The thieves targeted a safe and stole emeralds and other items, but did not attempt to make off with the chateau`s works of art. The couple was not injured during the robbery, which occurred shortly before dawn, according to prosecutors in the nearby city of Melun. `The owners are doing fine and the chateau remains