The Louvre’s Apollo gallery reopened to the public on Wednesday after a theft last year, in which crown jewels worth $102 million were stolen. This reopening is significant as it marks the museum’s return to its original purpose.
Visitors can now explore the gallery’s beautiful architecture and enjoy the gilded ceilings and Greek frescoes as they walk towards the nearby Mona Lisa. However, they will not see the crown jewels or empty display cases, as the treasures have been removed. The museum plans to return the gallery to its original ceremonial role from the 17th century.
Nine months after the theft, the jewels have still not been recovered. Christophe Leribault, the Louvre’s director, stated that the gallery’s previous exhibits will be moved to other areas of the museum. He emphasised this as an opportunity to rediscover the gallery’s design.
Leribault was appointed in February after the resignation of the former director. This change came after the robbery and other issues that affected public confidence in the museum’s management. French Culture Minister Catherine Pegard described the day of the theft as traumatic for the world, highlighting the museum’s vulnerability.
Security at the Louvre has been improved with new surveillance measures. During the robbery, the thieves took less than eight minutes to break in and steal the jewels, revealing significant gaps in security. Enhancing security is a key part of the “Louvre New Renaissance” plan, which aims to modernise the museum and improve visitor experience.
