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Louvre Museum’s director resigns in wake of jewels heist in Paris

Feb 24, 2026 | 11:30 AM

PARIS (AP) — The director of the Louvre Museum who had been under fire since the stunning and embarrassing heist of the French Crown jewels in October has stepped down from the position, French President Emmanuel Macron ’s office said Tuesday.

The office said in a statement that Macron accepted the resignation of Laurence des Cars, and that he praised the move 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 involving security upgrades, modernization” and other initiatives.

Thieves took less than eight minutes in October to steal 88 million euros ($102 million) worth of crown jewels in a weekend heist at the world’s most visited museum, shocking the world.

Des Cars was named director of the Louvre, one of the museum world’s most prestigious posts, in 2021.