Tue Feb 24 21:24:41 UTC 2026: ### Louvre Director Resigns Amid Heist Fallout and Labor Unrest
The Story:
Laurence des Cars, the director of the Louvre Museum in Paris, resigned on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. French President Emmanuel Macron accepted her resignation, citing the need for “calm and a strong new impetus” at the museum. The resignation follows months of intense scrutiny and criticism stemming from a high-profile jewel heist in October 2025, where an estimated $102 million worth of jewels were stolen, exposing security vulnerabilities. The museum has also faced rolling strikes since December 2025 over pay and working conditions, adding to a series of problems including water leaks and a ticket fraud investigation.
Key Points:
- Laurence des Cars resigned as director of the Louvre Museum on February 24, 2026.
- The resignation was prompted by the fallout from a $102 million jewel heist in October 2025.
- Strikes over pay and conditions have plagued the museum since December 2025.
- Critics have questioned the Louvre’s spending priorities, citing low investment in security and infrastructure despite lavish art purchases and post-pandemic projects.
- President Macron accepted the resignation, emphasizing the need for stability and modernization at the museum.
Key Takeaways:
- The Louvre’s leadership faced significant pressure following the jewel heist, highlighting security deficiencies.
- Labor disputes and internal management issues contributed to an unstable environment at the world’s most-visited museum.
- The resignation underscores the importance of balancing security, infrastructure, and artistic investment in major cultural institutions.
First Piper 