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Christophe Leribault has been named as the new director of the Paris Louvre Museum, following the resignation on Tuesday of Laurence des Cars.
The Élysee says the 62-year-old art historian’s main tasks will be to ensure the security and modernisation of the Louvre and to implement the French president’s ‘New Renaissance’ project.
Last year, in the wake of leaked reports of its crumbling infrastructure, Emmanuel Macron announced a €800 million renovation plan, partially funded by raised ticket prices for non-EU citizens.
Leribault’s first matter at hand will be to address the crises that have erupted at the world’s most visited museum after the spectacular theft of France’s crown jewels in a daring daylight robbery in October last year.
None of the stolen items have yet been recovered but the Louvre has recently announced that repairs will be conducted for Empress Eugénie’s crown that dropped and damaged during the raid.
Musical chairs
The expected confirmation of Leribault to run the Louvre means he’ll need to be replaced as head of operations at Versailles Palace, a post he’s held since 2024.
Prior to that, he was director of the Musée d’Orsay, a job he took up after Laurence des Cars was named as head of the Louvre.
Annick Lemoine, who currently leads the Petit Palais, has been appointed as the new chief at the Musée d’Orsay.
Additional sources • AP