French President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to the resignation of the director of the Louvre Museum in Paris following a recent jewel theft and ongoing strikes. Laurence des Cars submitted her resignation, which Macron commended as a responsible act during a critical period for the museum. The Louvre was hit by a robbery in October, where thieves stole jewels valued at around 87 million euros. Des Cars accepted the failure and offered to resign shortly after, but her resignation was initially declined by the French culture minister. Since then, the museum has faced additional challenges, including staff strikes over layoffs and working conditions.
A ticket fraud scheme at the Louvre has also been uncovered, resulting in potential revenue losses of 10 million euros. The investigation began after the discovery of Chinese guides using single-entry tickets multiple times to bring in tourists. Police identified a network involved in the fraud, allegedly bribing museum officials to overlook the scheme. The suspects are believed to have invested the illicit proceeds in real estate in France and Dubai.
In the October heist, thieves stole several valuable items, including jewelry linked to historical figures like Marie-Amélie and Napoleon Bonaparte. The robbers used concrete cutting tools to break into display cases, causing significant damage. The museum has faced criticism for security shortcomings, with plans to install additional surveillance cameras by the end of 2026. In response to recent challenges, the Louvre has raised ticket prices for non-EU tourists to fund renovation efforts.