Louvre Director Resigns, Months After Crown Jewels Were Stolen in Heist

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Mark LandlerFebruary 24, 2026 at 07:40 PM

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Laurence des Cars, the president and director of the Louvre Museum, has resigned less than three months after a $100 million jewel heist raised questions about security at the museum. Her tenure was marked by labor strikes, water leaks, and security lapses that led to the theft in October 2025. Des Cars submitted her resignation to French President Emmanuel Macron, who had appointed her in 2021 and championed her plans for a major refurbishment project called "Louvre - New Renaissance." The project's future is now uncertain due to des Cars's departure. She was scheduled to testify before the French Parliament about security lapses leading up to the heist. Des Cars' resignation comes amid widespread criticism of the project's expense and proposed layout changes.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

National Assembly 35% Paris 40% Philippe Jost 40% French Parliament 50% Rachida Dati 50% France 60% Emmanuel Macron ×270% Louvre Museum ×685% Laurence des Cars ×990%

Keywords

louvre museum 100% resignation 90% security lapses 80% theft 80% laurence des cars 70% museum security 60% french parliament 50% cultural legacy 40% museum director 40%