Macron appoints new head of crisis-hit Louvre after jewellery heist
The Guardian • • world
Key Points:
- Christophe Leribault has been appointed as the new head of the Louvre, succeeding Laurence des Cars who resigned following a $102 million jewellery heist and ongoing staff strikes.
- Leribault, previously director of the Palace of Versailles and an experienced art historian, will prioritize strengthening security and restoring trust at the museum.
- The Louvre has faced multiple challenges including pay strikes, water leaks, a ticket fraud scandal, and significant security shortcomings highlighted by state audits and parliamentary inquiries.
- Only 39% of the museum's rooms had CCTV coverage as of 2024, exposing vulnerabilities that contributed to the high-profile jewellery theft.
- French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for calm and strong leadership to advance major security and modernization projects at
