Louvre Museum Director Resigns Months After High‑Profile Heist

Published: 25 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The director of the Louvre Museum in Paris has resigned amid intense scrutiny over a string of crises that culminated in one of the most audacious art thefts in recent memory. Laurence des Cars, who had led the world’s most visited museum since 2021, stepped down after public and political pressure mounted in the wake of a dramatic robbery of French crown jewels from the museum’s Galerie d’Apollon last October.

French President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation, describing it as an “act of responsibility” at a time when the museum needed stability and renewed focus on security upgrades and modernisation efforts. The break‑in saw thieves steal crown jewels valued at about €88 million ($102 million) in a brazen daylight attack that exposed glaring vulnerabilities in the museum’s defences and sparked national outrage. Four suspects have been arrested, but the majority of the stolen items have not been recovered.

Des Cars had offered to resign immediately after the heist, citing the gravity of the security breach, but her initial offer was not accepted at the time. She later acknowledged the incident revealed weaknesses in the museum’s infrastructure, particularly aging surveillance and inadequate external coverage of sensitive galleries. Parliamentary inquiries have since criticised systemic failings that made the theft possible.

The high‑profile robbery was only one of multiple setbacks that have plagued the institution over the past year. Alongside security concerns, the Louvre has dealt with labour unrest, including strikes and walkouts by staff protesting working conditions and overcrowding, and operational disruptions from leaks and maintenance issues that damaged parts of the collection. A suspected long‑running ticket fraud scheme has also come under investigation, further eroding confidence in museum management.

Macron’s acceptance of the resignation underscores the political stakes attached to cultural leadership in France, where the Louvre is not only a national symbol but also a major driver of tourism and cultural diplomacy. The president has emphasised the need for a strong new impetus to carry out planned security overhauls and broader infrastructure improvements as part of ambitious modernisation projects.

Des Cars was the first woman to serve as director of the Louvre in its more than two‑century history, a milestone that drew international praise at her appointment. Her departure marks the end of a turbulent chapter that highlighted the challenges of safeguarding heritage treasures in an era of mass visitation and evolving security threats.