Christophe Leribault Named President of the Louvre Museum
Paris – Christophe Leribault has been appointed the new president of the Louvre Museum, officials announced Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The move follows the resignation of Laurence des Cars amid scrutiny following a high-profile jewel heist at the museum. The appointment comes as the Louvre seeks to reinforce security and embark on a modernization project dubbed “Louvre – Nouvelle Renaissance.”
Leribault, 62, currently serves as president of the Palace of Versailles and will transition to lead the world’s most visited museum. According to sources, his mission will be to “secure, modernize and carry out ‘Louvre – Nouvelle Renaissance.’” He previously directed the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie, succeeding des Cars in October 2021 before taking on his role at Versailles in February 2024.
Des Cars’ resignation came four months after the theft of jewels from the museum, sparking criticism of the institution’s security measures and internal management. The former president was praised for leading numerous important projects during her tenure, but ultimately stepped down “in a spirit of appeasement and to write a new page for the Louvre,” officials said.
In a separate announcement, Annick Lemoine, who currently heads the Petit Palais, will seize the helm of the Musée d’Orsay. The Ministry of Culture stated that Lemoine will continue the work and momentum initiated by Sylvain Amic, who passed away in August 2025.
The appointments were expected to be formalized Wednesday during a cabinet meeting. This leadership change at the Louvre underscores the importance of cultural institutions in France and the ongoing efforts to balance preservation with modern security challenges.
