What's happened
On February 25, 2026, Christophe Leribault was appointed director of the Louvre following Laurence des Cars' resignation amid fallout from an October crown jewels heist, infrastructure issues, labor unrest, and a ticket fraud scandal. Leribault faces the challenge of restoring security and advancing President Macron's $1.35 billion Louvre renovation plan before Macron's term ends next year.
What's behind the headline?
Leadership Change Amid Crisis
Christophe Leribault's appointment signals a strategic move to stabilize the Louvre after a cascade of failures that have shaken public trust. His extensive experience managing major French cultural institutions like Versailles and the Musée d’Orsay equips him to tackle the museum's multifaceted challenges.
Security and Infrastructure Overhaul
The October 2025 crown jewels heist exposed glaring security vulnerabilities, undermining the Louvre's reputation. Leribault must prioritize comprehensive security upgrades alongside urgent infrastructure repairs to prevent further damage and theft.
Macron's Legacy Project at Risk
The Louvre New Renaissance, a €1.15 billion modernization plan including a new entrance and a dedicated Mona Lisa room, is a signature project for President Macron. However, the project's scale and cost, combined with the museum's operational crises, threaten its timely completion and Macron's cultural legacy.
Institutional and Cultural Implications
The Louvre's troubles reflect broader issues of underinvestment and the strain of mass tourism on historic sites. Leribault's leadership will be tested in balancing preservation with modernization, managing staff unrest, and restoring public confidence.
Forecast
Leribault will likely implement stricter security protocols and accelerate renovation efforts, but progress may be slow given the museum's complexity and political pressures. Macron's lame-duck status may limit additional government support, making private funding and operational reforms critical. The Louvre's future hinges on effective crisis management and successful delivery of the New Renaissance plan.
What the papers say
The New York Times' Mark Landler highlights the political stakes, noting that the Louvre renovation is a "legacy-defining cultural project" for President Macron, who faces constraints due to his lame-duck status. Landler emphasizes the project's ambitious scope and the doubts cast by recent turmoil. The Associated Press and The Independent provide detailed accounts of Leribault's appointment and the museum's operational crises, including the October heist, labor unrest, and a decade-long ticket fraud scheme. They describe Leribault as a "crisis-era choice" with a strong track record managing Versailles and other major institutions. France 24's Sonya Ciesnik adds cultural context, noting that des Cars "brought impeccable credentials" but became a "lightning rod" amid backlash over the renovation and security failures. Reuters underscores the urgent need to "restore a climate of trust" and strengthen security. Together, these sources paint a picture of a prestigious institution grappling with systemic issues, a leadership transition aimed at recovery, and a politically charged renovation project that embodies Macron's cultural ambitions.
How we got here
The Louvre, the world's most-visited museum, has faced a series of crises including a high-profile $102 million crown jewels theft in October 2025, aging infrastructure causing leaks and damage, labor strikes over working conditions, and a decade-long ticket fraud scheme costing millions. Laurence des Cars, the museum's first female director appointed in 2021, resigned amid criticism. President Macron's ambitious Louvre New Renaissance renovation, launched in January 2025, aims to modernize the museum but has faced skepticism and delays.
Go deeper
- What security measures will Leribault implement at the Louvre?
- How will the Louvre renovation affect visitors and the Mona Lisa?
- What impact does this crisis have on President Macron's legacy?
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Laurence des Cars is a French general curator of heritage and art historian, current director at the Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie. She has been appointed to assume the role of Director of the Louvre Museum from 1 September 2021.
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Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.
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The Louvre, or the Louvre Museum (French: Musée du Louvre [myze dy luvʁ] ), is a national art museum in Paris, France.
The Louvre, a former royal palace, is known for its collection of celebrated paintings collected by the French kings, including The..
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The Palace of Versailles ( vair-SY, vur-SY; French: château de Versailles [ʃɑto d(ə) vɛʁsɑj] ) is a former royal residence commissioned by King Louis XIV located in Versailles, about 18 kilometres (11 mi) west of the city centre of Paris, in the Yv