What happened, in brief
On 19 October 2025, at about 9:30, thieves disguised as workers entered the Apollo Gallery (Denon wing, first floor) by rising on a furniture lift to a balcony, cut a window and took eight pieces of the Crown Jewels, valued at about €88 million. The operation lasted under eight minutes (Wikipedia, "2025 Louvre heist", read on 24 October 2026). Empress Eugénie's crown, dropped during the escape, was found badly damaged; it is being restored (Adnkronos, 22 July 2026). The museum reopened on 22 October 2025, three days after the theft.
Where the investigation stands on 24 October 2026
| Point | Situation | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Stolen jewels | Eight pieces not recovered | Euronews, 22 July 2026; "one year on" press, October 2026 |
| Suspects | Four alleged members of the crew arrested within days; five people charged by the end of November 2025 | Wikipedia, read on 24 October 2026 |
| Mastermind | No mastermind charged as far as we know | "One year on" press, October 2026 |
| Trial | No date announced as far as we know | — |
The jewels were reportedly handed to a third party shortly after the theft, according to interviews reported by Le Monde in July 2026; nothing is confirmed about where they are. We could not check the exact state of the proceedings with an official judicial source: for any court decision, refer to the Paris prosecutor's office.
Is the Apollo Gallery open?
Yes. The Apollo Gallery reopened to the public on Wednesday 22 July 2026, after nine months of closure (Euronews and Paris ZigZag, 22 July 2026). It is presented as a 17th-century state gallery, with decoration by Le Brun, Girardon and Delacroix, but without display cases or jewels. The museum's director, Christophe Leribault, said the jewels that were not stolen will be shown in another room, designed as a windowless strongroom; no opening date has been given as far as we know. So do not come to the Louvre in 2026 to see the Crown Jewels.
Security, entrances, tickets: what changes in practice
- Checks: every visitor goes through a security check (Vigipirate "reinforced vigilance" level, Louvre official website, read on 24 October 2026). The visitor rules (15 December 2025) allow bags to be opened and ban bags larger than 55 × 35 × 20 cm in the collections.
- Entrances: the Pyramid (individual visitors, with three queues), the Carrousel (open to all), the Lions door (pre-booked tickets, closed on Tuesday, last entry 17:00) and Richelieu (groups). Check the access map on the day of your visit.
- Ticket: €22 or €32 depending on residence, time slot to book. The museum is open from 9:00 to 18:00 every day except Tuesday, until 21:00 on Wednesday and Friday. See our Louvre page.
- Measures announced by the museum (press release of 7 November 2025): a security coordinator, more cameras, anti-ram barriers around the site, more patrols with the Paris police prefecture. A parliamentary inquiry made 40 recommendations in May 2026 (franceinfo): these are proposals, not measures already in place.
- Management: Laurence des Cars left the museum's presidency, her resignation being accepted on 24 February 2026; Christophe Leribault runs the Louvre.
How to book without surprises
Book a time slot on the official site, or take a guided tour that includes entry: see Louvre ticket: official or guided tour. If the slot is full, read Louvre sold out: what to do. To compare with the city's other museums: best museums in Paris.
What remains uncertain
- The opening date of the future room for the remaining jewels.
- The exact state of the legal proceedings and the date of a trial.
- Any last-minute closures (strike, demonstration): the Louvre is closed on 24 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Have the jewels been found? No, eight pieces are still missing according to the sources read on 24 October 2026. Only Eugénie's crown was found, damaged.
Can you visit the Apollo Gallery? Yes since 22 July 2026, but without the jewels.
Is the Louvre dearer or slower to visit? The price is €22 or €32; allow some margin for the security check at the entrance.
Is the Louvre safe to visit? The museum is open with reinforced checks; the theft targeted objects, not visitors.
