In a significant development for France’s cultural landscape, the presidency of the Louvre Museum has undergone a dramatic leadership change. Laurence des Cars, the institution’s president, formally submitted her resignation to French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The Élysée Palace confirmed the resignation had been accepted, characterizing the decision as a responsible move during a period requiring institutional stability.
The resignation follows an extended period of institutional challenges that have plagued the world’s most visited museum. These include a sophisticated jewel theft operation that exposed security vulnerabilities, alongside additional controversies that have strained the museum’s administration. The presidential statement emphasized the necessity for ‘appeasement and renewed momentum’ to advance critical security enhancement initiatives currently underway.
This leadership transition occurs as the Louvre prepares to implement comprehensive security upgrades and address operational shortcomings. The museum administration now faces the dual challenge of maintaining daily operations while executing necessary reforms to safeguard its unparalleled collections, which include iconic works like the Mona Lisa.
The French government’s acknowledgment of des Cars’ ‘act of responsibility’ suggests a coordinated transition rather than a sudden departure. Cultural ministry officials indicate that a successor will be appointed promptly to ensure continuity in overseeing both the museum’s artistic mission and its substantial security modernization projects.