The Louvre reopened Wednesday to long queues under its iconic glass pyramid, just three days after one of the century’s most high-profile museum thefts, in which thieves stole eight pieces from France’s Crown Jewels.
The Sunday heist, carried out near the Mona Lisa, involved smashing two display cases in the Apollo Gallery and fleeing on motorbikes. Authorities say the thieves spent less than four minutes inside. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged security failings, calling the incident a “very negative image of France.”
The stolen items include a sapphire diadem, necklaces, earrings, and diamond pieces linked to 19th-century queens and empresses. One emerald-set imperial crown of Empress Eugénie was recovered damaged outside the museum. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau valued the haul at €88 million ($102 million), warning the historical significance could be lost if the jewels are dismantled for resale.
The theft has intensified scrutiny of the Louvre’s security. President-director Laurence des Cars faced the Senate culture committee, though she remains in her post. Critics highlight gaps in staffing, overcrowding, and uneven rollout of new security measures, including expanded cameras and a command post announced earlier this year.
While star attractions such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace remain open, the Apollo Gallery’s sealed and guarded displays reflect the breach’s symbolic weight — underscoring the fragility of France’s cultural heritage.
