Khaberni - French President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation of Louvre Museum director Laurence des Cars, a move that followed months of sharp criticism after an unprecedented heist targeting the French Crown Jewels inside the renowned museum.
The Élysée Palace announced in an official statement that des Cars submitted her resignation on Tuesday, describing the decision as a responsible act at a time when the world's largest museum needs calm and a new impetus to implement major projects including enhancing security systems, infrastructure upgrades, and moving forward with a comprehensive development plan under the title "Louvre – New Renaissance".
Macron praised des Cars' efforts during her tenure that began in 2021, commending her dedication and expertise, and announced her new assignment relating to enhancing international collaboration among major museums within the Group of Seven, a step that reflects ongoing confidence in her technical and scientific expertise.
This resignation comes in the wake of the heist that occurred on October 19th inside the Apollo Gallery, where four thieves managed to break into the museum in broad daylight and steal nine rare pieces from the French Crown Jewels, dating back to the Napoleonic era and beyond, including tiaras, necklaces, and earrings adorned with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and pearls.
According to official estimates, the stolen items were valued at around 100 million dollars, and the operation took less than eight minutes before the perpetrators escaped on motorcycles, marking one of the most serious heists the museum has witnessed.
Investigations later revealed serious security lapses, including outdated surveillance cameras, a shortage of guards, and a vulnerability in the external wall that was exploited to execute the break-in, prompting a wave of widespread criticism from the French parliament and media, which described the incident as the "heist of the century".
Despite the arrest of several suspects, the stolen jewels remain missing to this day, while French authorities strive to restore confidence in the security of the museum, which is considered one of the most important cultural and tourist landmarks in the world.
