Скачать или смотреть French officials appoint new director to lead Louvre Museum out of crisis after jewel heist

(25 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: Paris - 29 September 2023
3. Various STILLS of Christophe Leribault, then-president of the Orsay museum speaks to the media, during the press day of the "Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise: The Final Months" exhibition at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris

ELYSEE HANDOUT
Paris - 25 February 2026
SOUNDBITE (French) Maud Bregeon, French government spokesperson:
"Christophe Leribault, the current president of the Palace of Versailles, has been appointed president-director of the Louvre Museum, replacing Laurence Des Cars. He will notably be responsible for leading important projects, crucial for the future of the institution: firstly, the security and modernization of the Louvre, and secondly, the continuation of the Louvre New Renaissance project. These are very solid and trustworthy individuals. Recognized by their peers, they will be able to continue and consolidate the policies implemented by their predecessors, while bringing their own vision and restoring calm to the institutions under their charge. The President of the Republic was keen to emphasize the trust he placed in Laurence Des Cars, and, as proof, you know that she was entrusted with a mission within the framework of the G7."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paris – 25 February 2026
1. Various exteriors of Louvre Museum, street scenes
STORYLINE:
The home of the “Mona Lisa” is getting a new boss.

Art historian Christophe Leribault, a veteran museum director, is taking over at the Louvre, shouldering the challenge of getting the world’s largest museum out of crisis after the brazen heist in October of the French crown jewels.

French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon announced the appointment on Wednesday. "He will notably be responsible for leading important projects, crucial for the future of the institution: firstly, the security and modernization of the Louvre, and secondly, the continuation of the Louvre New Renaissance project," she said.

Leribault takes over from outgoing Louvre director Laurence des Cars, who resigned Tuesday.

Des Cars had been under fire in the wake of a stunning and embarrassing heist of the French crown jewels.

Her resignation was announced by the presidential office in a statement on Tuesday.

Macron praised des Cars’ resignation decision as “an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus to carry out major projects."

Thieves took less than eight minutes in October to steal crown jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million) from the Louvre, in a weekend operation that stunned visitors, exposed glaring vulnerabilities and left one of France's most symbolically charged collections in criminal hands.

Several suspects were later arrested, but the stolen pieces remain missing.

AP video shot by: Alexander Turnbull

===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...