The Louvre’s Apollo Gallery opened to the public on Wednesday, marking its first reopening since thieves stole crown jewels valued at 88 million euros in a brazen daytime theft. The gallery, which features gilded ceilings and Greek frescoes, remains operational for visitors traveling to nearby attractions, though it no longer displays any jewelry or empty cases. Museum officials have relocated the former exhibits to other areas of the institution.
Director Christophe Leribault indicated that the gallery’s redesignation reflects a return to its original 17th-century ceremonial function. He characterized the reopening as an opportunity to appreciate the space’s architectural and decorative qualities. The stolen jewels have not been recovered in the nine months since the theft.
Leribault assumed his position in February after previous director Laurence des Cars stepped down following the October heist and additional operational failures that undermined public confidence in museum leadership. French Culture Minister Catherine Pegard acknowledged the incident as a significant trauma, noting that it exposed vulnerabilities in a facility long considered secure.
Museum officials have implemented enhanced security measures, including additional surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems. The theft occurred during a weekend operation in which perpetrators breached a window and completed the heist in under eight minutes. The museum is advancing a broader modernization initiative called the “Louvre New Renaissance,” budgeted at up to 800 million euros, designed to enhance infrastructure, reduce crowding, and create a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa by 2031.
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