Louvre Museum's director resigns following jewel heist case
Deutsche Welle
February 24, 2026
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French President Emmanuel Macron has accepted the resignation of Laurence des Cars, director of the Louvre Museum, following widespread criticism stemming from last year's high-profile jewel heist. The theft, which occurred in broad daylight and involved sophisticated tools and a crane-equipped truck, resulted in the loss of French crown jewels valued at €88 million ($102 million). Des Cars had initially offered to resign immediately after the robbery but was persuaded to stay by the culture minister. Her departure is seen as an "act of responsibility" aimed at addressing ongoing challenges at the museum, including security gaps and other crises.
The Louvre has faced numerous issues in recent years, beginning with the audacious heist on October 19, 2022. A gang of thieves broke into the museum using power tools like a disc cutter and stole the jewels during daytime hours when the museum was open. The brazen operation, which included a crane truck waiting outside to assist in the theft, shocked the art world. Despite arrests made during the investigation, the stolen jewels remain unrecovered, leaving authorities puzzled.
Beyond the heist, the Louvre has grappled with other significant problems, including allegations of widespread ticket fraud spanning over a decade and multiple flooding incidents that damaged artworks, such as a ceiling painting and rare books. These issues have cast doubt on the museum's ability to manage its operations effectively under Des Cars
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/24/2026