France’s most famous museum entered a new chapter of uncertainty this week as its president stepped down under growing pressure from political leaders and the public following months of controversy and security failures.
Laurence des Cars submitted her resignation on Tuesday, which was accepted by Emmanuel Macron, according to the French presidency. Officials described her departure as “an act of responsibility” at a moment when the institution requires stability and renewed direction.
The move follows a series of setbacks that have shaken confidence in the Louvre Museum, including a brazen daylight robbery in October in which French historical jewelry valued at nearly $100 million was stolen.
The jewels, often referred to as the “crown jewels,” were taken during a break-in that exposed weaknesses in the museum’s security systems. Four suspects remain in custody, but the eight stolen items have yet to be recovered.
Lawmakers investigating the incident recently presented an interim assessment after dozens of hearings. They pointed to what they called “systemic failures,” citing outdated equipment, insufficient monitoring and long-standing vulnerabilities that had been flagged years earlier.
Des Cars had initially offered to resign shortly after the October theft. At the time, Macron declined to accept her departure and encouraged her to continue leading reforms. But as more lapses came to light, pressure mounted from unions, politicians and cultural observers.
In an interview with the French daily Le Parisien late last year, des Cars acknowledged that structural weaknesses persisted. She conceded that, with hindsight, the museum’s safeguards had not been robust enough to prevent the breach.
The crisis deepened when France’s public finance watchdog, the Court of Auditors, released a report criticizing the museum for prioritizing high-profile exhibitions and visitor services over critical investments in security infrastructure.
According to the report, an earlier audit dating back to 2017 had warned of potential security risks with “dramatic” consequences if left unaddressed. Those warnings, investigators said, were not acted upon decisively.
Beyond the theft, operational problems continued to pile up. Earlier this month, a burst pipe caused water damage in a wing housing priceless artworks, forcing temporary closures and adding to concerns over the building’s aging systems.
Meanwhile, employees launched the longest labor dispute in the museum’s history. Staff complained about working conditions, safety concerns and strained relations with management, leading to repeated shutdowns that disrupted millions of visitors.
Des Cars had promoted an ambitious modernization plan, dubbed “Louvre – New Renaissance,” aimed at upgrading facilities and improving visitor flow. But critics argued that the recent crises overshadowed those efforts and exposed deeper management challenges.
The museum also found itself in the headlines for unrelated controversies. Ticket fraud allegations surfaced, and last weekend British political activists briefly hung an unauthorized portrait of Prince Andrew inside the museum, referencing claims tied to documents involving Jeffrey Epstein. The stunt highlighted broader concerns about internal oversight.
Taken together, the incidents eroded confidence in leadership at one of the world’s most visited cultural institutions, which welcomes around nine million people annually.
In a statement, Macron thanked des Cars for her commitment and “undeniable scientific expertise,” while signaling that a new phase focused on security and institutional reform was necessary.
The Culture Ministry has launched its own audit of the heist, while parliamentary inquiries continue. Final findings are expected in May and could shape significant changes to how national museums are protected and managed.
For now, the Louvre faces the delicate task of restoring public trust, tightening security and appointing new leadership capable of steering the storied institution through one of the most turbulent periods in its modern history.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members