Louvre Museum director resigns in wake of brazen crown jewel heist in Paris

The Louvre Museum’s director resigned on Tuesday, ending months of questions in France’s cultural world over why no top official had stepped down after the October crown jewels theft.

Laurence des Cars’ departure closed a bruising chapter for the world’s biggest museum. It came as the Louvre faces a widening narrative of an institution spiralling out of control.

In the last year alone, the museum has endured the high-profile jewel theft from the Apollo Gallery, water leaks that damaged priceless books, multiple staff walkouts and a wildcat strike over poor working conditions, mass tourism and understaffing.

That scrutiny intensified again in recent weeks, when French authorities revealed a suspected decade-long ticket fraud scheme – carried out under their noses – linked to the museum that investigators say may have cost the Louvre €10 million (US$11.8 million).

President Emmanuel Macron accepted des Cars’ resignation as “an act of responsibility” at a moment when the Louvre needs “calm” and new momentum for security upgrades, modernisation and other major projects, according to a statement from his office.

Macron wants to give des Cars a new mission during France’s presidency of the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations, focused on cooperation among major museums, the statement said.