In brief
The Louvre’s famed Galerie d'Apollon reopened on Wednesday, only to find its former treasures missing after a 2016 heist that stole jewellery worth millions. Director Christophe Leribault confirmed that the gallery will no longer display the Crown Jewels or gemstones, which are now kept in secure areas across the museum. The theft, executed on 19 October by masked thieves who used a specially rigged truck to access the gallery via a balcony, has led to the arrest of four suspects, though the loot remains unrecovered. Security upgrades and changes to the museum’s layout reflect the lasting impact of the incident.
Louvre Reopens Gallery After Jewellery Heist
On Wednesday, the Louvre’s Galerie d'Apollon opened its doors after nine months of closure, but visitors now find it eerily empty. The space that once displayed France’s Crown Jewels and a stunning collection of gemstones was left vacant as the museum announces a permanent shift in how the assets will be showcased.
In 2016, masked thieves breached the gallery by using a truck fitted with mechanical ladders to ascend a balcony overlooking the entrance. While police quickly apprehended four suspects, the stolen jewels—a weight of millions—remain missing.
Director Christophe Leribault explained, “This is an iconic space within the Louvre, but it will no longer house the Crown Jewels and gemstones, which are to be displayed in secure areas elsewhere in the museum.” The decision underlines a broader reevaluation of security protocols across the sprawling institution.
