Laurence des Cars, the director of the Louvre Museum, the most visited museum in the world, resigned on Tuesday, over four months after the spectacular theft of crown jewels worth 88 million euros.
The massive theft became known as the „heist of the century.” On October 19, 2025, thieves broke into the Apollo Gallery of the Parisian museum and stole heritage pieces of exceptional value, as reported by CNN.
Macron: "An act of responsibility"
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, announced that he accepted Laurence des Cars' resignation and described the gesture as "an act of responsibility at a time when the world's largest museum needs both stability and a strong new impetus," according to a statement from the Élysée Palace.
The director had previously submitted her resignation to the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, immediately after the theft, but it was rejected at that time.
"Absolutely outdated" infrastructure
Last year, Laurence des Cars publicly admitted that the technical infrastructure for monitoring France's most valuable treasures was "absolutely outdated, even non-existent," describing the situation as "a terrible finding" for an institution of the Louvre's stature.
The statement fueled criticisms regarding the museum's security systems and its ability to protect the national heritage.
8.7 million visitors in 2024
Despite the scandal, the Louvre remained one of the world's major cultural attractions. In 2024, the museum welcomed 8.7 million visitors, with tourists from the United States representing 13% of the total, second only to the French.
The Élysée Palace stated that the president "thanked her for her work and commitment over the past years and, recognizing her undeniable scientific expertise, entrusted her with a mission within the French G7 presidency, focused on cooperation between the major museums of the participating countries."
Strikes and internal dissatisfaction
The theft was just the latest episode in a series of issues faced by the institution. In 2025, the museum was also affected by strikes, with employees complaining about unmanageable crowds, staff shortages, and poor working conditions.
The resignation marks a sensitive moment for the Louvre, which now needs to strengthen its security and regain the public's trust, in an international context where protecting cultural heritage becomes an increasingly important stake.