The Louvre Museum will soon have a new director following the resignation of Laurence des Cars amid the fallout from a significant robbery. Christophe Leribault, currently the president of France’s Palace of Versailles, is expected to be appointed to the prestigious role. This announcement is anticipated during a cabinet meeting later today, according to a source who spoke to AFP.
Leribault, aged 62, is an accomplished art historian with a focus on 18th-century art. His previous leadership roles include major Parisian institutions such as the Petit Palais and the Musée d’Orsay. His expertise in the field and experience managing some of the most visited cultural sites in France will be crucial as he takes on the challenge of overseeing the world’s most-visited museum.
Des Cars’ resignation comes in the wake of a brazen theft at the Louvre last October, where French crown jewels worth $100 million were stolen. She officially submitted her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, which was subsequently accepted. The robbery has led to increased scrutiny of museum security and operations, and an inquiry is currently underway. Four individuals, including the suspected thieves, are in police custody, yet eight of the stolen items remain missing.
The Louvre, once a royal palace, attracts approximately nine million visitors each year, showcasing iconic artworks like Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”. In response to the theft, the museum has implemented several urgent security measures. These include replacing the grille that was exploited by the thieves, while Des Cars had been focusing on the ambitious “Louvre – New Renaissance” renovation project before her departure.
In related news, Annick Lemoine, the current head of the Petit Palais, will assume the directorship of the Musée d’Orsay, as reported in the official journal published today.
As the Louvre prepares for this leadership transition, the appointment of Leribault is expected to bring renewed focus on securing and modernizing the museum, addressing both the recent security issues and the ongoing need for innovative approaches to visitor engagement.