The director of Paris’s renowned Louvre Museum has stepped down from her position months after a spectacular theft of France’s crown jewels from one of the world’s most visited cultural institutions. Laurence des Cars tendered her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, who characterized the move as “an act of responsibility” according to French media reports.
The audacious heist occurred on the morning of October 19 last year when perpetrators utilized a stolen vehicle equipped with a mechanical lift to access the Galerie d’Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony overlooking the River Seine. Although authorities have apprehended four primary suspects, the eight invaluable jewelry pieces, valued at approximately €88 million (£76 million, $104 million), remain missing. Among the stolen items was a diamond and emerald necklace originally presented by Emperor Napoleon to his wife.
During their escape, the thieves dropped Empress Eugenie’s 19th-century diamond-studded crown, resulting in significant damage. Earlier this month, the Louvre released the first images of the damaged crown since the incident, noting it was “nearly intact” and could undergo complete restoration.
In the aftermath of the robbery, des Cars acknowledged critical vulnerabilities in the museum’s security infrastructure, describing the perimeter CCTV system as both weak and “aging.” The only camera monitoring the exterior wall where the breach occurred was pointed away from the balcony providing access to the jewel gallery.
Despite hosting over 8.7 million visitors annually, the museum has faced challenges in modernizing its security apparatus. Des Cars, who assumed leadership of the Louvre in 2021, had previously advocated for doubling the number of surveillance cameras to enhance protection.
A parliamentary investigation into the security lapses is currently underway, with a preliminary report citing “systemic failures” that facilitated the break-in. The full findings are scheduled for release in May. The museum has additionally encountered other operational challenges recently, including a suspected ticket fraud scheme and significant water damage.