The director of France’s Louvre Museum resigned on Tuesday, February 24th, the office of the French presidency announced, following a months-long string of scandals—including the brazen theft of priceless jewels in broad daylight.
Laurence des Cars submitted her resignation letter to President Emmanuel Macron, which was accepted, with the Élysée “hailing an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs a period of calm and a new strong impetus to carry out major security projects”. Des Cars has been under rising pressure since the October burglary at the museum that saw $100 million of French crown jewels stolen. The theft is currently the subject of an inquiry. The unprecedented heist was followed by a series of water damage incidents in France’s flagship museum.
Des Cars, who formerly headed the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, first offered her resignation shortly after the October 19th break-in, but it was refused by Macron, who named her to the position in 2021. On Tuesday, February 24th, Macron thanked Des Cars for her “action and commitment” as well as “her undeniable scientific expertise.”
Following the resignation of Laurence des Cars, the president of France’s Palace of Versailles is expected to take over as head of the Louvre. The appointment of Christophe Leribault is expected to be announced at a cabinet meeting later on February 25th.
62-year-old Leribault is an art historian and museum director specialising in 18th century art. He has led major Paris institutions, including the Petit Palais, and the Musée d’Orsay.
