What's happened
Christophe Leribault has been appointed to lead the Louvre after the resignation of Laurence des Cars, following a series of crises including a high-profile jewel heist, infrastructure issues, and staff unrest. The move aims to restore stability and advance Macron's renovation plans.
What's behind the headline?
The appointment of Christophe Leribault signals a strategic move to stabilize the Louvre amid ongoing crises. His extensive experience managing France’s major museums suggests he is well-equipped to handle security and infrastructure issues. The timing aligns with Macron’s political desire to leave a cultural legacy through the museum’s overhaul. The jewel heist, a symbolic blow, has exposed vulnerabilities that threaten the museum’s reputation and visitor trust. The renovation project, including relocating the Mona Lisa, faces criticism over costs and logistical complexity, but it also represents a long-term effort to modernize and secure the institution. The focus on security and infrastructure upgrades will likely intensify, with Leribault’s leadership expected to prioritize restoring confidence and implementing structural reforms. The broader implications include potential shifts in museum management standards and security protocols across France’s cultural institutions.
What the papers say
The Independent highlights the political significance of Macron’s Louvre project and the crises that precipitated the leadership change, emphasizing the museum’s security and infrastructural challenges. The New York Times underscores Leribault’s extensive background and the divisive renovation plans, particularly the Mona Lisa relocation, which faces criticism for cost and disruption. Reuters consolidates the security concerns and the broader institutional struggles, noting the impact of strikes and fraud investigations. While all sources acknowledge the crises, The Independent frames the leadership change within Macron’s legacy ambitions, whereas the NYT emphasizes the logistical and financial hurdles of the renovation. Reuters provides a comprehensive overview of the security failures and ongoing operational issues, illustrating the complex environment Leribault inherits.
How we got here
The Louvre has faced multiple challenges since last October, notably a $102 million crown jewels heist exposing security flaws. Additional issues include water leaks, aging infrastructure, staff strikes, and a ticket-fraud scheme. President Macron's ambitious renovation project, the 'Louvre New Renaissance,' aims to modernize the museum with a budget of over 1 billion euros, but has been overshadowed by these crises.
Go deeper
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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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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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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.