Louvre's Apollo Gallery Reopens Without Crown Jewels

The Louvre announced the reopening of its historic Apollo Gallery on 22 July 2026, nine months after the dramatic daytime robbery on 19 October 2025. The heist saw four thieves breach the gallery using a truck‑mounted lift, stealing eight pieces of French crown jewels valued at €88 million (about $102 million). The stolen items, including the tiara of Empress Eugénie, have not been recovered; the surviving jewels have been removed from the gallery and will later be displayed in a new, windowless high‑security vault.

Director Christophe Leribault, appointed in February 2026 after the resignation of Laurence des Cars, said the gallery will now be presented in its original 17th‑century ceremonial role, allowing visitors to appreciate the gilded ceilings, frescoes and decorative art without the jewels. New security measures—reinforced window grilles, upgraded surveillance cameras and anti‑intrusion systems—have been installed as part of the museum’s “New Renaissance” modernization plan.

Four suspects were arrested shortly after the robbery, but the missing pieces remain missing. Visitors, including guide Jenny Lee and retired police officer Alison Leslie, described the empty hall as “beautiful” and a “new story” for the Louvre, while the restoration of the damaged crown continues.