The Louvre opened the Apollo Gallery, from which the perpetrators stole valuable jewelry

Paris – The Apollo Gallery in the Louvre Museum in Paris opened to the public for the first time today since the robbery last October. From this exhibition hall, the perpetrators stole jewelry worth 88 million euros (approximately 2.1 billion CZK), which investigators have not yet found, as noted by the AP agency. However, the museum removed collections and other expensive jewelry that were previously exhibited here because it claims the gallery is returning to its original ceremonial purpose from the 17th century.

Visitors can once again view this majestic hall with gilded ceilings and frescoes on the way to the famous painting Mona Lisa, but they will not see any jewels or empty display cases. According to Louvre director Christoph Leribault, the former exhibits from the gallery will be relocated to other parts of the museum. "This is also an opportunity to rediscover the beautiful architecture and decoration of this gallery," he added.

Leribault took the helm of the world's most visited museum in February after the previous director, Laurence des Cars, resigned due to the October robbery of precious jewelry and other issues that shook confidence in the museum's leadership. The Louvre had been facing employee strikes, infrastructure problems, and a ticket fraud case, among others.

According to security camera footage, four thieves disguised as workers arrived at the museum on the morning of October 19. Two of them climbed to the first floor shortly after opening hours using a retractable ladder, broke a window, and entered inside. There they threatened the unarmed security staff, then cut open display cases and stole valuable jewelry. The other two perpetrators remained outside the museum, which they all subsequently left the same way they entered and then drove off on scooters. The entire operation lasted no longer than eight minutes.

After an extensive search, the likely perpetrators were apprehended last November. At the same time, according to AP, museum representatives strengthened security by installing new cameras and intrusion prevention systems.

Improving security is a priority of the so-called New Renaissance of the Louvre. This ten-year plan, which began last year, aims to modernize infrastructure, ease overcrowding in the museum, and build a separate gallery for the Mona Lisa by 2031. The estimated cost of the project reaches up to 800 million euros (over 19 billion CZK).