The Apollo Gallery at the Louvre has reopened to the public after being closed due to a major robbery where valuable crown jewels worth £75 million were stolen from the renowned museum. The robbery occurred on October 19, 2025, when a group of thieves disguised as workmen used a cherry picker to gain access to the gallery and smashed glass display cases to steal eight items, including a significant emerald and diamond necklace once owned by Napoleon I’s second wife, Marie Louise.
Although some of the stolen jewels are still missing, four suspects allegedly involved in the heist were apprehended and charged in France. The reopening of the Apollo Gallery today was a subdued affair, with the room now devoid of the previously showcased historic jewelry as a security measure. The museum announced that the gallery is reverting to its original ceremonial purpose from the 17th century, allowing visitors to admire its ornate gilded ceilings and Greek frescoes on their way to see the iconic Mona Lisa nearby.
Christophe Leribault, the current director of the Louvre who took over following the resignation of Laurence des Cars in the aftermath of the robbery, stated that the relocated exhibits will be displayed elsewhere in the museum. To enhance security, the museum has implemented new surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems, part of a comprehensive modernization project costing an estimated £683 million. The initiative aims to upgrade infrastructure, alleviate overcrowding, and provide a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa by 2031.
The reopening of the Apollo Gallery marks a significant step in restoring normalcy at the Louvre following the high-profile heist that captured global attention.
