PARIS — Paris’s famous Louvre Museum, which houses Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” has appointed a new director to navigate the institution through a period of significant turmoil. Christophe Leribault, an experienced art historian and museum administrator, will assume leadership of the world’s most visited museum as it grapples with serious challenges following October’s audacious theft of French crown jewels.
Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon made the announcement Wednesday. Leribault will replace Laurence des Cars, who stepped down from her position on Tuesday.
The incoming director faces substantial obstacles in restoring stability to the renowned institution.
October’s bold theft during museum hours ranks among the most notorious art crimes in recent decades and revealed serious vulnerabilities in the landmark’s security systems.
The historic former royal residence has been plagued by numerous additional issues that paint a troubling picture of a beloved cultural treasure in decline.
These problems encompass a ruptured water pipe close to the “Mona Lisa,” flooding that harmed irreplaceable manuscripts, deteriorating infrastructure, employee strikes protesting visitor overcrowding, insufficient staffing levels, and increased admission costs for most international tourists.
Calls for management changes intensified recently when officials disclosed a suspected ticketing scam operation connected to the museum that may have operated for ten years, potentially defrauding the Louvre of 10 million euros ($11.8 million).
Leribault comes with impressive credentials, having successfully managed the Palace of Versailles, another internationally famous French cultural site and major tourist destination, while overseeing an annual operating budget of approximately 170 million euros ($200 million).
