Following a high-profile theft, the Louvre has resumed operations, sparking discussions on museum security amid ongoing inquiries and parliamentary review.
Published On 22 Oct 2025
After a dramatic daylight theft, the Louvre Museum has welcomed visitors once again, reopening its doors three days post-incident.
This reopening in Paris’s iconic cultural landmark occurred mere hours before its director was scheduled to be questioned by members of the French Senate regarding the audacious heist, which saw jewels valued at approximately 88 million euros ($102 million) stolen.
The recent theft has intensified debates over the adequacy of security protocols in French cultural institutions, especially following two other museum burglaries reported last month.
Authorities are pursuing leads under the assumption that a coordinated criminal syndicate executed the break-in, reportedly scaling a ladder to gain access to the premises.
Among the eight stolen artifacts are a historic emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to Empress Marie-Louise and a tiara once owned by Empress Eugenie, adorned with nearly 2,000 diamonds. Notably, the thieves abandoned a diamond-encrusted crown during their escape.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed to local press that the investigation is advancing, with over 100 officers dedicated to the case.
Following a cabinet meeting, President Emmanuel Macron mandated an acceleration of enhanced security measures at the Louvre, according to a government spokesperson.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau described the financial loss as “exceptional,” emphasizing that the cultural and historical damage to France’s heritage is even more significant.
Beccuau added that forensic examinations are underway, with four individuals identified at the crime scene and approximately 100 investigators working to map out the network involved.
In the immediate aftermath, many visitors were denied entry to the Louvre, located in the heart of Paris.
However, on Wednesday morning, crowds gathered promptly at 9am (07:00 GMT) to enter the museum, although the Apollo Gallery-where the theft took place-remained off-limits.
As the globe’s most frequented museum, the Louvre attracted nine million visitors last year, showcasing treasures such as the Mona Lisa across its vast galleries.
Laurence des Cars, the museum’s director and the first woman to hold the position since 2021, is expected to face inquiries regarding the security arrangements in the Apollo Gallery, home to the royal jewel collection.
Christian Galani, a union representative at the Louvre, criticized the institution’s security staffing levels, highlighting that reductions over the past decade and a half have left the museum understaffed despite rising visitor numbers.
