New Director Appointed To Lead The Louvre Museum Out Of Crisis After Jewel Heist
PARIS (AP) — A new boss is coming to the house of the “Mona Lisa.” Art historian Christophe Leribault, a master museum director, takes over the Louvre and takes on the challenge of founding the world’s largest museum emerged from the crisis later brazen robbery French in October crown jewels.
French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon announced the appointment on Wednesday. Leribault takes over from Louvre’s departing director Laurence des CarsWHO He resigned on Tuesday.
The challenges he inherited are enormous.
Daytime robbery – among them most high-profile museum thefts in living memory – revealed alarming security vulnerabilities At the turning point of Paris.
The former royal palace also suffered from a host of other problems that showed a treasured national institution was spiraling out of control.
These include a pipe bursting near the “Mona Lisa”, water leaks damaging priceless books, aging buildingsDismissal of staff due to overcrowding, staff shortage, and increases in ticket prices For most non-European visitors.
Pressure for new leadership has deepened in recent weeks as authorities uncovered a suspicious person. 10 years of ticket fraud Researchers say the museum-related operation could cost the Louvre 10 million euros ($11.8 million).
Leribault has a proven track record. He manages the Palace of Versailles, another world-famous French landmark and tourist attraction, and manages an annual budget of approximately 170 million euros ($200 million). The former French royal palace west of Paris was the venue for the meeting. Olympic equestrian sports When Paris hosts 2024 summer games.
Leribault is also a former president. Paris’s Orsay Museum.
Announcing Leribault’s appointment to the Louvre, Bregeon said: “He will be tasked with leading important projects that are vital for the future of the institution.”
These include security and modernization upgrades and the pursuit of a comprehensive overhaul plan branded by the President as the “New Renaissance of the Louvre.” Emmanuel Macron becomes champion.
The renovation, which was inaugurated by Macron in January 2025 and could take up to a decade, aims to modernize a museum widely seen as overly worn and physically worn down by mass tourism.
The plan includes a new entrance near the Seine River to relieve pressure on IM Pei’s pyramid, new underground areas and a special chamber for the “Mona Lisa” with timed access; all aimed at improving crowd flow and reducing the daily density of visitors that has become a symbol of the Louvre’s success and dysfunction.
The project is expected to cost approximately 700 million to 800 million euros ($826 million to $944 million), with funding coming from ticket revenues, government support, donations and Louvre Abu Dhabi-related revenues.
Describing Leribault as “very solid, reliable”, Bregeon said that he is expected to provide “vision” and “calm” to the museum.
In a statement, the Ministry of Culture flagged his “extensive experience in the management of major institutions” and said Leribault would prioritize strengthening the safety and security of the Louvre’s buildings, collections, visitors and staff and “restoring an atmosphere of trust.”
