Louvre President Laurence des Cars is defending her tenure and a controversial renovation plan following a significant heist of royal jewels from the Apollo Gallery. The burglary, which exposed security vulnerabilities at the museum, has led to calls for des Cars' resignation and scrutiny from Parliament.
Critics argue that her proposed "Louvre —New Renaissance" plan prioritizes new construction over much-needed security upgrades. Des Cars, who was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron, acknowledged the emotional impact of the heist, describing the experience of seeing the damaged display cases as a personal wound.
Despite the ongoing criticism and the closure of the Apollo Gallery, she asserts that her renovation plans will ultimately enhance museum security. The incident has intensified public and political pressure on her leadership, particularly given her alignment with the current unpopular French government.
