The Louvre museum in Paris opened its Apollo Gallery to the public following a major theft that occurred nine months prior. During the heist, thieves removed crown jewels valued at 88 million euros in a daytime operation that lasted less than eight minutes, exploiting security vulnerabilities by forcing entry through a window.
The gallery now operates without its former jewelry collections on display. Museum leadership decided to remove the precious items and relocate them elsewhere within the institution, instead restoring the space to reflect its original 17th-century ceremonial function. Visitors can view the gallery’s architectural features, including gilded ceilings and Greek frescoes, while passing through en route to other exhibits.
The theft prompted significant personnel changes at the museum. The previous director, Laurence des Cars, resigned following the heist and other institutional failures that undermined confidence in leadership. Christophe Leribault was appointed to lead the Louvre in February. French Culture Minister Catherine Pegard acknowledged the incident as traumatic, describing it as exposing the fragility of a location previously considered secure.
Second Gallery security has been substantially enhanced with the addition of new surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems. These improvements are part of the broader “Louvre New Renaissance” initiative launched last year, a decade-long modernization plan with an estimated budget of up to 800 million euros. The comprehensive project aims to upgrade infrastructure, reduce overcrowding, and establish a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa by 2031.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI