After a turbulent year marked by controversy, crisis, and scandal, the Louvre Museum has lost its director. French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday confirmed he had accepted the resignation of Laurence des Cars, who had led the world’s most visited museum since 2021.
Des Cars’s departure follows a series of damaging incidents that have shaken public confidence in the historic institution. Over the past year, the Louvre faced a high-profile art heist that made global headlines, two damaging internal leaks, ongoing worker strikes over pay and working conditions, and revelations of a ticketing scam that reportedly cost the museum millions in revenue.
Although neither the Élysée Palace nor des Cars herself provided details on the reasons for her resignation, sources close to the museum describe mounting pressure and unrest within its ranks. Insiders say that after months of strained negotiations and public criticism, her exit became inevitable.
Laurence des Cars, known for her scholarship in 19th-century art and for championing inclusivity and accessibility in museums, made history as the first woman to lead the Louvre in its 228-year history. Her appointment in 2021 was widely hailed as a progressive move, reflecting Macron’s push to modernize French cultural institutions.
The French Ministry of Culture said an interim director will be appointed in the coming weeks while the search for a permanent successor begins.
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