Louvre Museum director resigns in the wake of October’s brazen French crown jewels heist

Louvre Museum director Laurence des Cars resigned following a tumultuous year marked by significant security and operational failures. The resignation comes after the October 2025 theft of the French crown jewels from the Apollo Gallery, which triggered scrutiny over the museum's security protocols. Other issues contributing to the pressure included a burst pipe near the "Mona Lisa," water damage to valuable books, staff strikes related to overcrowding and understaffing, and the revelation of a suspected decade-long ticket fraud scheme potentially costing the Louvre millions. President Macron accepted des Cars' resignation, citing the need for "calm" and new leadership to address security upgrades and modernization efforts. Des Cars will be given a new mission focused on museum cooperation during France's G7 presidency.

Art historian Christophe Leribault is the new director of the Louvre Museum in Paris. He is tasked with leading the world's largest museum out of a crisis following the October 2025 heist of the French crown jewels. Leribault, a veteran museum director, is taking over the position after the incident. The Louvre is hoping to restore stability and security under his leadership. The change in leadership comes after scrutiny following the daring daylight robbery.

Christophe Leribault has been appointed the new head of the Louvre Museum in Paris, succeeding Laurence des Cars after her resignation. The change in leadership follows a $102 million jewellery heist in October that exposed security vulnerabilities and led to criticism of des Cars' leadership. Leribault, previously director of the Palace of Versailles and with prior experience at the Louvre, is tasked with strengthening security, restoring trust, and implementing necessary transformations. The Louvre has also faced strikes over pay and work conditions, water leaks, and allegations of ticket fraud. A state audit revealed overdue security and infrastructure upgrades were needed, with only 39% of rooms having CCTV cameras as of 2024.

Laurence des Cars resigned as director of the Louvre Museum in Paris months after a $102 million crown jewels theft in October. French President Emmanuel Macron accepted her resignation, citing the need for "calm and a strong new impetus" for security upgrades and modernization at the museum. The resignation followed criticism of des Cars in the wake of the heist, where thieves stole priceless treasures in under eight minutes. While some suspects have been arrested, seven treasures, including Eugenie's diamond-studded tiara, remain missing. Macron thanked des Cars for her service and offered her a new role focused on museum cooperation.

Louvre Museum director Laurence des Cars resigned on Tuesday following a period of turmoil at the world's largest museum. The resignation comes after a brazen October crown jewel theft from the Apollo Gallery and amidst growing scrutiny over other issues. These issues include water damage to priceless books, staff walkouts, a strike over working conditions, and a suspected decade-long ticket fraud scheme potentially costing the Louvre millions of euros. French authorities revealed the ticket fraud scheme in recent weeks. President Macron accepted des Cars' resignation, citing the need for "calm" and new momentum for security upgrades and modernization projects at the Louvre.