The Galerie d’Apollon Returns To Its 17th-Century Ceremonial Purpose As France’s New Louvre Director Christophe Leribault Reopens The Room While Stolen Jewels Remain Missing
According to the Associated Press, the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery reopened to the public on July 22, 2026, for the first time since €88 million ($102 million) worth of crown jewels were stolen in a dramatic daytime heist.
On October 19, 2025, thieves disguised as construction workers stole eight pieces of the French Crown Jewels from the Galerie d’Apollon in under eight minutes, spending just four minutes inside the museum during regular opening hours. It was the first art theft from the Louvre since 1998.
Visitors can now tour the majestic room and view its gilded ceilings and Greek frescoes, but no crown jewels or display cases remain. The museum said the gallery is returning to its 17th-century original ceremonial purpose, with remaining jewels to be held in a secure vault elsewhere. The stolen pieces remain unrecovered nine months on.
Louvre director Leribault was named in February after his predecessor resigned following the heist. Eleven suspects have been arrested across three operations. Security has since been boosted with new surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems.
French Culture Minister Catherine Pegard described the October theft as “a trauma for the entire world.”
The gallery is open. The jewels are not in it. Check out our previous coverage of global culture on The Trusted Times.
