Laurence des Cars resigned as Louvre director amid security chaos after a $100M jewel heist, ending her tenure at France’s top museum.
On Tuesday, French police arrested nine suspects, including two Louvre employees and several tour guides, in connection with a decade-long €10m ticket fraud scheme at the Louvre. The network allegedly reused tickets multiple times, targeting mainly Chinese tourists, and bribed staff to avoid checks. The investigation follows the museum's December 2024 complaint and coincides with ongoing fallout from an October 2025 crown jewels heist.
On February 25, 2026, Christophe Leribault was appointed director of the Louvre, succeeding Laurence des Cars who resigned amid crises including a $102 million crown jewels heist, labor strikes, water damage, and a decade-long ticket fraud scandal. Leribault faces the challenge of restoring security and advancing President Macron's costly Louvre modernization plan.
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.