The Louvre Names Christophe Leribault Its New Director | Artnet News
Artnet News
by Jo Lawson-TancredFebruary 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Louvre has appointed Christophe Leribault as its new director, following Laurence des Cars’s resignation amid a string of challenges including security failures, staff strikes, and damaging leaks. Leribault, who previously led Versailles and the Musée d’Orsay, takes over at a critical time for the world’s most visited art museum. He inherits an institution still reeling from the fallout of the $102 million heist of France’s crown jewels in October 2025, which exposed severe security flaws. The new director will also oversee the Louvre’s ambitious $820 million renovation project, known as the “Nouvelle Renaissance,” which includes a new entrance and expanded space for Leonardo da Vinci’s *Mona Lisa*.
Leribault’s appointment comes after Des Cars, the museum’s first female director, faced mounting criticism for her handling of security issues and staff concerns. A leaked letter from January 2025 revealed her efforts to highlight the Louvre’s deteriorating infrastructure, including temperature fluctuations threatening artworks and water damage in parts of the building. These problems were compounded by a brazen heist that exposed vulnerabilities in the museum’s outdated security system. Des Cars had sought to revise an earlier security overhaul plan proposed by her predecessor, Jean-Luc Martinez, but delays in implementation added to the growing public scrutiny.
The new director will need to address both immediate concerns, such as ongoing staff strikes and maintenance issues, while steering the museum through its multi-year renovation. Leribault’s experience managing major cultural institutions, including Versailles and the Musée d’Orsay, positions him to tackle these challenges head-on. His leadership during previous roles has shown a focus on balancing visitor experiences with institutional stability—a skill that will be tested as he works to restore the Louvre’s reputation and safeguard its unparalleled collection.
This leadership shift matters not only for France’s cultural heritage but also for the global art world, as
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Originally published on Artnet News on 2/25/2026