A police car is parked outside Novotel hotel, where jewels meant for film stars were stolen, in Cannes May 17, 2013. More than $1 million worth of jewels due to be lent to movie stars at the Cannes film festival were stolen from a hotel room in the French Riviera town, a police source said. [Photo/Agencies]

More than $1 million worth of jewels that were to be lent to movie stars at the Cannes Film Festival were stolen from a hotel room in the French Riviera town, a police source said.

Thieves broke into the room of a Chopard employee, opened a safe and made off with the jewels, the source said. The robbery took place at the Novotel hotel in the center of Cannes.

Chopard is one of the official sponsors of the festival. The jeweller redesigned the festival's Palme d'Or award and each year creates jewelry sets for the "mounting the steps" ritual.

Reuters - AFP