Paris' Louvre opens again following massive €88 million robbery
Photo: This was the longest museum closure since the COVID-19 pandemic
The Louvre Museum, which temporarily closed on Sunday following one of the most high-profile thefts in its history, reopened its doors to visitors on October 22, reports Le Parisien.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunes stated that the investigation into the museum robbery is ongoing. The case is being handled by the Anti-Gang Brigade (BRB) in coordination with the Office for Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Goods (OBC), with over 100 investigators involved.
So far, no suspects have been apprehended.
After the theft, the museum initially planned to reopen on Monday, but due to misunderstandings among visitors, an evacuation was carried out, and the Louvre remained closed.
Considering the museum's usual Tuesday closure, the public was unable to access the Louvre for nearly three days. Similar restrictions had been seen during the COVID-19 pandemic or during forced closures due to strikes or terrorist threats.
Louvre robbery
On Sunday, October 19, the Louvre in Paris had to close urgently after eight valuable items were stolen from the Apollo Gallery, with a total estimated value of 88 million euros.
The thieves gained entry through a window using a freight lift and a circular saw.
What was stolen?
These included a tiara from the jewellery collections of Queen Hortense and Queen Marie-Amélie, made with Ceylon sapphires and diamonds.
The thieves also took a sapphire necklace and matching earrings from the same set.
Other stolen items included an emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings, which Napoleon had gifted to his second wife, Marie Louise of Austria.
