The director of the Louvre Museum, Laurence des Cars, has resigned from her position after facing intense scrutiny in the wake of a high-profile heist of the French Crown jewels in October. French President Emmanuel Macron's office confirmed the resignation in a statement released on Tuesday.
Macron Accepts Resignation Amid Museum Crisis
President Macron accepted des Cars' resignation, praising it as "an act of responsibility at a time when the world's largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus to carry out major projects involving security upgrades, modernization" and other key initiatives. The statement highlighted the need for new leadership to address the fallout from the theft and implement necessary reforms.
Details of the Stunning Heist
In October, thieves executed a brazen weekend robbery at the Louvre, the world's most visited museum, stealing crown jewels valued at 88 million euros (approximately $102 million). The heist, which took less than eight minutes, shocked the global community and exposed significant security vulnerabilities at the prestigious institution.
Des Cars' Tenure and Initial Resignation Offer
Laurence des Cars was appointed director of the Louvre in 2021, one of the most esteemed roles in the museum world. Following the robbery, she offered her resignation on the same day, but it was initially refused by the culture minister. In November, des Cars explained her decision, stating, "I saw a tragic, brutal, violent reality for the Louvre, and as the person in charge, after all the hard work done by the teams that day — it felt right to offer my resignation."
Future Role and Acknowledgment
Macron expressed gratitude for des Cars' "work and commitment" during her tenure. The statement indicated that the president intends to assign her a new mission focused on fostering cooperation among major museums. However, it did not specify whether des Cars has accepted this proposed role. The resignation marks a pivotal moment for the Louvre as it seeks to recover from the heist and enhance its security and modernization efforts under new leadership.
