The Parisian Louvre changed its director after a high-profile robbery that the famous museum experienced last autumn. Laurence des Cars left her position as head of the museum four months after the incident. Her successor is art historian Christophe Lerybaux, who previously headed the Palace of Versailles. The appointment of the new director was announced by a representative of the French government.
Laurence des Cars. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Lerybaux also previously managed the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. According to the French Ministry of Culture, his main tasks will be to strengthen the museum's security and modernize it. French President Emmanuel Macron earlier announced a plan to renovate the Louvre worth 800 million euros.
The decision to dismiss the previous director was made after the publication of a parliamentary commission report dedicated to the "robbery of the century." The document noted that the museum's management was partly responsible for shortcomings in the security system. The commission stated that there were several oversights that in other countries could have led to resignations.
Laurence des Cars herself offered to resign the day after the robbery, but at that time the Minister of Culture refused to accept her resignation. Now, however, her resignation has been approved by the President of France.
Last October, four intruders stole part of the French royal regalia from the Louvre, valued at approximately 88 million euros. The historical value of these items significantly exceeds their monetary appraisal. So far, the stolen items have not been found.
Following this incident, the museum repeatedly appeared in negative news — due to flooding, strikes, and suspicions of large-scale ticket fraud.
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