France passes law to help return art looted by Nazis to Jewish owners

A painting by Henri Matisse entitled 'The Blue Blouse' at the Kunstmuseum Bern was donated by Georges F. Keller, who had ties to a Frenchman who traded art with Germans in Nazi-occupied Paris. © Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

France has passed a law making it easier to return works of art seized by Nazi Germany during World War II to their Jewish owners or heirs.

The law, adopted unanimously by both houses of parliament on Thursday, will fast-track claims on art stolen during the German occupation of France during World War II that ended up in French museums.