French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Christophe Leribault as the new director of the Louvre. The nomination came just a day after the resignation of Laurence des Cars, who stepped down amid numerous scandals. The new chief, previously head of the Palace of Versailles, faces the task of restoring trust in an institution grappling with security issues, infrastructure problems, and the high-profile theft of crown jewels valued at over 80 million euros.

Swift Change at the Helm

Christophe Leribault replaced Laurence des Cars just 24 hours after her resignation, aiming to prevent further destabilization of the museum.

Security as a Priority

The new chief must implement new procedures following the theft of crown jewels worth over 100 million USD.

Continuation of the Grand Reform

Leribault takes over the 'Nouvelle Renaissance' project worth one billion euros, including a new room for the Mona Lisa.

Fighting Fraud

The institution must deal with a detected ticket falsification scheme that cost the museum 10 million euros.

The Louvre in Paris, the world's most visited museum, is now under the leadership of Christophe Leribault. President Emmanuel Macron's decision to swiftly fill the position aims to stabilize the institution, which has been battling an unprecedented reputational crisis for months. Christophe Leribault is an experienced curator and art historian specializing in 18th-century painting, who previously successfully managed the Musée d'Orsay and the Palace of Versailles. The direct reason for the resignation of his predecessor, Laurence des Cars, was a series of negligence incidents that undermined the credibility of the management. The most serious incident was a brazen robbery on October 19, 2025, when perpetrators fleeing on scooters stole crown jewels valued at nearly 100 million dollars. Added to the list of problems were suspicions of systematic ticket fraud amounting to 12 million dollars, numerous plumbing failures threatening the collections, and staff protests over working conditions. Leribault must now carry out a modernization under the slogan "Louvre – Nouvelle Renaissance," which also includes the controversial plan to move the Mona Lisa to a separate room. For centuries, the Louvre building served as a royal residence before being transformed into a national museum in 1793, during the French Revolution, becoming a symbol of French cultural identity. The new director is seen by the government as a "steady hand," capable of calming sentiments among the staff and the public. The challenge is even greater as the museum must remain open to millions of tourists during planned renovations worth nearly one billion euros. Leribault, known for his skills in reorganizing exhibition spaces, will have to prove he can combine conservative heritage protection with modern security requirements and mass tourism. „La priorité de Leribault sera de renforcer la sûreté et la sécurité du bâtiment, des collections, et des personnes, de restaurer un climat de confiance, et de porter ces transformations nécessaires pour le musée.” — Maud Bregeon

Mentioned People

  • Christophe Leribault — New director of the Louvre, former head of Versailles and the Musée d'Orsay.
  • Laurence des Cars — Former director of the Louvre, who resigned in February 2026.
  • Maud Bregeon — Spokesperson for the French government, who announced the nomination.