Lead

The Louvre Museum has reopened its Apollo Gallery to the public for the first time since October 2025, when robbers stole €88 million worth of crown jewels in a dramatic daytime heist. The reopening comes as new testimony from two suspects reveals the alleged mastermind behind the burglary was disappointed with the haul, reportedly saying they 'could have taken more.'

The Louvre, the world's most visited museum with up to 9 million guests per year, originally served as a royal palace before opening to the public during the French Revolution. It houses iconic works including the Mona Lisa.

The October 2025 heist shocked observers worldwide, as thieves used a crane mounted on a truck to enter the museum through a window at 9:30 a.m., while the museum was still opening. The group broke in equipped with power tools, including a disc cutter, and made off with French crown jewels.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the story presents two complementary angles. Deutsche Welle focused on the reopening of the Apollo Gallery and the relocation of its precious exhibits, emphasizing the museum's response to the security breach. The Guardian, meanwhile, reported on the details emerging from the suspects' testimony, shedding light on the motivations and conduct of those involved in the heist.

Both outlets reported that the thieves dropped a gem-encrusted crown worn in the 19th century by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The crown, commissioned by Napoleon III as part of a pair for him and his wife, was left "badly deformed," according to the Louvre, but "nearly intact" and restorable.

Deutsche Welle highlighted the museum's security upgrades, noting the addition of new surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems. The Guardian, drawing on transcripts of the suspects' questioning by investigating judges, reported the alleged mastermind's dissatisfaction with the loot.

Key Claims

Two men are suspected of stealing €88m worth of crown jewels from the Louvre. The suspects reportedly claimed they broke into the Apollo gallery on the orders of a client they refused to name out of fear for their families. According to The Guardian, the suspects, named locally as Abdoulaye N and Ghelamallah A, seized eight pieces of jewellery, including tiaras, a brooch, necklaces, and earrings.

The alleged mastermind's reaction was one of disappointment. As reported by The Guardian, citing transcripts of the suspects' questioning, Abdoulaye N told investigators that the mastermind "wasn't happy" with the outcome, saying, "He thought we could have taken more." Abdoulaye N also admitted to dropping the crown, saying, "Yes, it was me, it fell out of my bag," and acknowledged the seriousness of their actions: "What we did wasn't right, it's very serious."

Both men said they had been hired only two or three days before the break-in and were presented with a video filmed inside the gallery showing the cases with the Napoleonic jewellery. Abdoulaye N said their mission was clear: "Break windows and retrieve jewellery from inside the display cases." He added that he had been "in dire straits" financially and was promised €15,000-€20,000 for his role, "Maybe more, depending on how much money it would bring in."

The pair handed over the remaining loot to the alleged mastermind, according to their testimony.

The Louvre's director, Christophe Leribault, said the former exhibits have been relocated elsewhere in the museum. The Apollo Gallery will return to its 17th-century original ceremonial purpose, without any of the precious jewels or other objects on display. Leribault described the reopening as "an opportunity to rediscover the splendid architecture and decor of this gallery."

The museum has added new surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems as part of its security overhaul. The gallery is considered one of the most marvelous areas of the Louvre, with ceilings designed by Charles Le Brun and later additions by artists including Eugène Delacroix.