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French President Emmanuel Macron has accepted the resignation of Laurence des Cars, director of the world-famous Louvre Museum, after months of crises that put the institution under growing pressure, including a high-profile jewel theft, labor unrest and infrastructure problems.
The Elysee Palace confirmed that des Cars submitted her resignation directly to Macron, who described the decision as “an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus.” The presidency added that the museum must now move forward with efforts aimed at improving security and modernization.
The resignation comes after a turbulent period for the Louvre, widely regarded as the most visited museum in the world. Officials said the institution needs stability as it works through ongoing operational and security challenges that have repeatedly drawn public scrutiny.
Macron’s office indicated that large-scale modernization projects remain a priority, particularly those focused on strengthening safety systems and updating technical infrastructure. Despite stepping down, des Cars has been assigned a new role connected to cooperation among major museums of G7 countries during France’s presidency period.
The crisis intensified following a dramatic robbery on Oct. 19, 2025, when four burglars broke into the Apollo Gallery, where royal jewels were displayed. The theft lasted about seven minutes and resulted in the loss of nine priceless pieces.
Authorities later recovered a damaged crown belonging to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, which investigators believe the suspects dropped while fleeing. The remaining historic jewels, valued at roughly $102 million, have not been recovered.
A preliminary audit report by France’s Court of Accounts found that the museum had faced “continuous” and “significant” delays in installing security equipment that met required standards, creating vulnerabilities that may have contributed to the incident.
Police arrested the suspects about two weeks after the robbery, though the stolen artifacts remain missing.
While the museum was still dealing with the fallout from the theft, additional problems emerged. On Nov. 26, 2025, a water leak was discovered in a library housing ancient Egyptian materials, damaging books and archival documents.
A more serious leak later identified in the Duchatel section forced parts of the museum to close to visitors on Feb. 13. The affected area contained numerous works dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, raising concerns about preservation risks inside the historic complex.
At the same time, rolling staff strikes disrupted operations, leading to repeated closures and long visitor queues. Workers raised concerns over staffing levels, working conditions and security arrangements, further highlighting internal tensions.
Separately, French police launched an operation on Feb. 10 targeting a ticket fraud network accused of scamming visitors. Nine suspects, including two museum employees, were detained as prosecutors opened cases involving organized fraud, participation in a criminal group and corruption. One suspect was jailed, while others were released under judicial supervision.
French media reported that the network began operating in the summer of 2024 and primarily targeted Chinese tourists.
French officials emphasized that the Louvre now faces a period of transition as it seeks to rebuild trust and strengthen institutional resilience after months marked by security failures, operational disruptions and reputational challenges.
The presidency said the leadership change is intended to help the museum move forward while advancing reforms designed to make the globally recognized cultural institution safer and more modern.
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