Particle.news
Download on the App Store
15 ARTICLES
·
4h ago

Louvre Reopens Apollo Gallery Without Crown Jewels

Christophe Leribault said the surviving jewels are now kept in a windowless high-security vault to protect them.

Visitors stand near the window which was broken in the 2025 heist in which French crown jewels were stolen from the Apollo Gallery (Galerie d'Apollon), during the gallery's reopening to the public, at the Musee du Louvre in Paris, France, July 22, 2026. LOU BENOIST/Pool via REUTERS
Image
Louvre President Christophe Leribault and France's Culture Minister Catherine Pegard stand by the door to the Apollo Gallery (Galerie d'Apollon), where French crown jewels were stolen in 2025 in a heist, during its reopening to the public, at the Musee du Louvre in Paris, France, July 22, 2026. LOU BENOIST/Pool via REUTERS
Image

Overview

  • The Apollo Gallery reopened to visitors on July 22, 2026 but contains no jewel displays and has been restored to its 17th-century ceremonial appearance.
  • Museum officials moved the remaining crown jewels to a secure, windowless vault elsewhere in the Louvre and one damaged crown belonging to Empress Eugénie has been recovered and is undergoing restoration.
  • The October 19, 2025 robbery used a truck-mounted lift to reach a balcony, power cutters to break display cases, and scooters for the getaway in a raid that lasted under eight minutes and took items valued at about €88 million.
  • A 2019 internal audit had warned the museum about the gallery’s balcony and street-facing vulnerabilities and investigators found CCTV coverage inadequate, prompting new cameras, anti-intrusion systems and security work tied to the Louvre New Renaissance renovation plan.
  • Four suspects have been charged and are in custody, several have made partial admissions, most stolen items remain missing and investigators continue searches and cross-border cooperation while the museum works to restore public trust.