The Louvre Museum in Paris has reopened its doors to visitors, three days after a daring jewel heist that left the world in shock. The museum, which is home to some of the most iconic artworks in the world, including the Mona Lisa, had been closed since Sunday, October 19, 2025, following the theft of eight priceless pieces of royal jewelry. The stolen items included an emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to his wife, Empress Marie-Louise, and a diadem once owned by Empress Eugenie, adorned with nearly 2,000 diamonds.
The thieves, who are believed to be part of an organized crime group, used a vehicle-mounted extendable ladder to access the south side of the Louvre and broke into the Apollo Gallery, where the French crown jewels are housed. The heist, which lasted just seven minutes, has raised serious concerns about security at the world’s most visited museum. The incident has also sparked a heated debate about the lack of security in French museums, with two other institutions having been hit by thefts last month.
The Louvre’s reopening has been met with a mix of excitement and curiosity, with visitors eager to see the museum’s extensive hallways and galleries. However, the Apollo Gallery, where the theft occurred, remains closed as the investigation continues. The French government has announced plans to review the protection of cultural sites across the country and beef up security if needed. The Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars, is scheduled to appear before a French Senate cultural committee to address concerns over security at the museum.