The Apollo Gallery at the Louvre in Paris reopened to the public after a theft of Crown Jewels worth 88 million euros (102 million dollars) occurred in a brazen daylight robbery. Visitors can admire the gallery’s splendid architecture, golden ceilings, and Greek frescoes on their way to the nearby Mona Lisa. However, they will not find any Crown Jewels or empty display cases.
The valuable collections once showcased have been removed. The Louvre announced that the gallery returns to its original 17th-century ceremonial purpose. The stolen jewels remain missing nine months post-robbery. Formerly displayed items will be relocated to other museum sections, according to Christophe Leribault, director of the Louvre.
“This is also an opportunity to rediscover the magnificent architecture and decoration of this gallery,” Leribault stated. He assumed leadership in February following the resignation of the previous director, Laurence des Cars, after the October heist and a series of failings that undermined confidence in leadership at the world’s most visited museum.
French Culture Minister Catherine Pegard emphasized the lasting impact of the event: “That grim day, when iconic pieces were taken, cannot be forgotten and, indeed, should not be forgotten.” The theft shocked and saddened many, highlighting the vulnerability of an institution seen as impregnable.
Security enhancements at the museum now include new surveillance cameras and intruder prevention systems. On the day of the theft, the criminals took less than eight minutes to break in through a window of the Apollo Gallery and steal the Crown Jewels. This weekend operation stunned visitors and exposed clear security weaknesses.
Strengthening security is a priority within the ten-year “New Renaissance Louvre” plan, launched last year. This initiative, with an estimated cost of up to 800 million euros (933 million dollars), aims to modernize infrastructure, reduce crowding, and dedicate a gallery to the Mona Lisa by 2031.
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