Louvre's Apollo Gallery reopens after heist, shifts focus from stolen jewels

The famed Apollo Gallery at the Louvre Museum in Paris has reopened its doors to the public after a nine-month closure following a dramatic jewelry heist in October 2025. The reopening marks a significant moment for the iconic museum, though the stolen treasures remain missing.

During the audacious raid, four masked robbers disguised as construction workers breached the gallery. Using a truck equipped with a crane, they broke through a second-floor window and made off with several priceless artifacts in mere minutes. Despite extensive investigations, all the stolen jewels, with the exception of one crown belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, are still unaccounted for.

The incident caused considerable public outcry and pressure, leading to the resignation of the former museum director, Laurence des Cars. Christophe Leribault has since taken over as the new director.

In its reopened state, the Apollo Gallery will shift its focus. While the stolen jewels will be displayed in more secure areas within the museum, the gallery itself will highlight its 17th-century architectural style and decorative arts. The gallery, originally inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, is one of the Louvre's most celebrated spaces.