Louvre's Galerie d'Apollon reopens after $102M jewel heist

The Galerie d'Apollon at the Louvre reopened on July 22, nearly a year after a brazen daylight robbery. Disguised as construction workers, thieves used an external elevator to access the gallery and stole nine historic pieces from the Napoleonic-era collection, including a tiara, necklace, earrings, and brooch valued at approximately $102 million. Only Empress Eugénie's crown, adorned with diamonds and emeralds, was recovered after being abandoned during the escape on scooters. The heist lasted less than eight minutes. In response, the Louvre permanently removed the remaining crown jewels from the gallery, relocating them to a more secure area. Director Christophe Leribault stated that the surviving pieces will be displayed elsewhere with enhanced security. The gallery itself retains its 17th-century decorative program by Charles Le Brun, including Eugène Delacroix's ceiling painting "Apollo Slaying the Serpent Python" and tapestries depicting monarchs and artists. Despite the Louvre's website still listing the gallery as temporarily closed, a discreet update confirms it reopened in summer 2026, returning to its original conception as a ceremonial space.