The famed Apollo Gallery at the Louvre has officially reopened to the public following a significant robbery where crown jewels valued at £75 million were stolen from the renowned museum. The audacious heist, which occurred on October 19, 2025, involved a group of thieves disguising themselves as workers and using a cherry picker to access the gallery. In a swift operation lasting only seven minutes, the criminals made off with eight items, including a precious emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to his second wife, Marie Louise.
Despite the arrest and charging of four suspects linked to the robbery, some of the stolen jewels remain unrecovered nearly nine months later. The reopening of the Apollo Gallery presented a poignant moment as the public was greeted with an empty room devoid of the once-glistening displays showcasing the historic jewelry. The decision to remove the crown jewels and empty display cases was made, shifting the focus to the gallery’s original ceremonial purpose from the 17th century.
The Louvre museum emphasized that visitors can now witness the opulent gilded ceilings and Greek frescoes while making their way to the nearby Mona Lisa, as the former exhibits have been relocated within the museum. The enhanced security measures at the Paris museum, including the installation of new surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems, come at a substantial cost of approximately £683 million. These upgrades aim to modernize infrastructure, alleviate overcrowding, and provide a dedicated gallery for the iconic Mona Lisa by 2031.
As the Apollo Gallery reopens its doors, the public is invited to explore the architectural splendor of the gallery, devoid of the stolen treasures. The museum’s director, Christophe Leribault, who assumed the role after his predecessor resigned in the wake of the heist, expressed the significance of rediscovering the gallery’s architectural charm. The ongoing efforts to fortify security and preserve the cultural treasures housed at the Louvre underscore the commitment to safeguarding its invaluable heritage for future generations.