The Louvre has reopened its Apollo Gallery nearly nine months after an audacious October heist that stole roughly €88 million (about $100 million) in historic crown jewels. Museum officials say the jewelry will remain off display in a windowless, secure vault elsewhere in the building while the gallery reverts to its 17th-century ceremonial role. Authorities have upgraded surveillance and anti-intrusion systems, and Director Christophe Leribault — who is overseeing a $1 billion renovation — said the pieces will not return to the gallery for the time being.
Louvre Reopens Apollo Gallery Nine Months After Daring Jewel Heist — Treasures Kept Off Display
Visitors take a picture of a window at the reopened Apollo Gallery which was broken to carry out last year's heist at the Louvre.
The Louvre in Paris reopened its historic Apollo Gallery on Wednesday, nearly nine months after a dramatic October break-in in which thieves made off with an estimated €88 million (about $100 million) in French crown jewels. Museum officials said the gemstones and their display cases will remain off view while the gallery returns to its original 17th-century ceremonial role as a state gallery.
Visitors arrive during the reopening to the public of the Apollo Gallery.
Visitors entering the restored room can admire the gallery’s ornate gilded ceilings, sculpted ornamentation and frescoes, but the jewelry exhibits have been removed for security reasons.
Visitors arrive during the reopening to the public of the Apollo Gallery.
Where the Jewels Are Now
The Louvre’s director, Christophe Leribault, told Le Parisien that the remaining pieces are being kept in a "secure room, a vault with no windows, in another part of the museum." Leribault, who assumed leadership after his predecessor resigned following the theft, is also overseeing a reported $1 billion renovation of the museum.
No jewels were in display at the Apollo gallery as a result of last year's audacious heist.
"The pieces will not be on display for the moment," Leribault said, describing the new temporary safeguards for the collection.
Security Upgrades and Investigation
Authorities have strengthened security at the Louvre since the heist, installing additional surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems, according to the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. Investigations into the October break-in remain ongoing.
Louvre's President Christophe Leribault and France's Culture Minister Catherine Pegard open the door to mark the reopening to the public of the Apollo Gallery.
The Heist
In the October incident, a group of thieves used a basket lift (often called a cherry picker) to break into the museum through a window and targeted the Apollo Gallery before fleeing on scooters. Officials estimated the total value of the stolen items at roughly €88 million.
France's Culture Minister Catherine Pegard attends the reopening to the public of the Apollo Gallery.
Among the pieces taken were a pearl tiara and a corsage-bow brooch that once belonged to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, along with necklaces and other jewels linked to former royal figures including Empress Marie Louise, Marie-Amélie and Hortense Bonaparte.
The reopening was marked by Louvre President Christophe Leribault and France’s Culture Minister Catherine Pégard, who both attended the ceremony as the gallery opened its doors again to the public.
For now, the Apollo Gallery will offer visitors a chance to appreciate its historic architecture and ornamentation while the museum maintains stricter protections for its jewelry collection.
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