Louvre Reopens Apollo Gallery After a Brazen Heist, but No Jewels on Display

The Louvre's famed Apollo gallery welcomed the public again on Wednesday, marking its first opening since a daring heist last year saw crown jewels vanish. However, visitors will not find the glittering treasures on display as the precious jewels and collections that once adorned the gallery have been removed.

The museum stated that the gallery is reverting to its original 17th-century ceremonial purpose. This change coincides with significant security upgrades across the Paris institution. New surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems have been installed to bolster safety measures.

The heist, which occurred over a weekend, saw thieves break into the Apollo Gallery through a window and steal crown jewels valued at approximately 88 million euros ($102 million). The incident exposed security vulnerabilities and stunned visitors. Enhancing security is a key component of the "Louvre New Renaissance" plan, a decade-long initiative costing up to 800 million euros ($933 million) aimed at modernizing infrastructure, reducing overcrowding, and creating a dedicated space for the Mona Lisa by 2031.