Louvre director Laurence des Cars resigns

The president and director of the Louvre Museum, Laurence des Cars, has submitted her resignation to the President of the Republic, effective immediately.

“Among difficulties and successes, directing the Louvre has been the honor of my professional life. I have devoted all my energy and determination to it. I have not wasted a single minute of my time in the service of the Louvre,” he announced thus to the Louvre staff. “Over the past five years, many initiatives have been undertaken to transform the Louvre Museum. I wish to pay tribute to your work, to those who serve the Louvre every day with professionalism and passion. These initiatives could not have been accomplished without the strength of the ’Louvre collective.’ In a cruel irony of fate, the October 19, 2025 theft gave unprecedented resonance to a truth I have constantly reminded people of since I took office: although the Louvre is the largest museum in the world, a national wonder housing countless masterpieces, it is nonetheless fragile.” “Leading the Louvre Museum and building its future requires uniting all efforts and energies around common goals,” he continued. “This clarity of direction is currently lacking: how can we transform the Louvre without providing it with the resources to realize its ambitions? This situation hinders the success of change, while the Louvre cannot accept the status quo. Under these circumstances, I feel that I am no longer able to fully exercise the responsibilities entrusted to me. For this reason, I have submitted my resignation to the President of the Republic. My departure, I hope, will allow the momentum I have tried to instill in the Louvre for nearly five years to continue. As I prepare to leave this museum that I love and have served, as you have, with passion, allow me to thank you for your unwavering support, trust and commitment.”

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, reads a note published this morning on the Ministère de la Culture website, “immediately launched an administrative investigation to objectively determine the circumstances that allowed the theft to take place and asked the president of the Louvre Museum to implement emergency measures to ensure the security of the museum.” Indeed, it says, “the theft at the Louvre Museum on Oct. 19 had a profound impact in France and internationally. It also destabilized an institution at the center of our country’s cultural and heritage influence.”

The minister, the note specifies, “has also maintained a constant and constructive dialogue with the institution’s staff, legitimately affected by these circumstances. At the end of this essential stabilization phase, Laurence des Cars’ decision to resign, taken in consultation with the supervisors, will allow the museum to open a new chapter in its history. The minister has initiated a project to reorganize the museum, which the next presidency will have to implement.”

Regarding Laurence des Cars’ resignation, the minister “commends the work done by Laurence des Cars since September 2021 at the helm of the Louvre Museum. He has resolutely pursued an ambitious project for the institution and initiated structural transformations, particularly in terms of cultural and scientific programming.”

According to French press reports, Christophe Leribault president of the Palace of Versailles and president of the Musée d’Orsay until 2024 will go to lead the Louvre Museum.

Louvre director Laurence des Cars resigns

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