Laurence des Cars Resigns as Louvre President Following Criticism Over Major Jewelry Heist

Laurence des Cars, the president of the Musée du Louvre, has officially resigned from her post following a high-profile security breach at the museum where French crown jewels were stolen in October 2025. Her resignation was submitted to and accepted by French President Emmanuel Macron on February 24, 2026. Macron described her departure as an "act of responsibility," underscoring the seriousness with which the matter is being addressed.

The burglary, which occurred on October 19, 2025, involved the theft of valuable jewels from the French crown, causing widespread criticism of the museum's security under des Cars' leadership. This event has brought to light significant concerns regarding the safety of the world's largest museum.

President Macron stressed the urgent need for the Louvre to find new leadership that can steer the institution toward stronger security measures and modernization efforts, especially as the museum embarks on its "Louvre - Nouvelle Renaissance" project. The leadership change aims to reinstate the museum's reputation and safeguard its priceless collections.

Laurence des Cars' resignation signals accountability at the highest level of the Louvre's management. While the resignation addresses the recent critique, it also sets the stage for renewed focus on enhancing security infrastructures and overseeing important cultural projects within the museum.

Currently, the Louvre is in search of a successor capable of tackling these critical challenges while guiding the museum through an important phase of transformation and protection of its heritage.