The theft at the Louvre is called the heist of the century. And it's still taking its toll. French President Emmanuel Macron has accepted the resignation of Laurence des Cars, director of the Louvre in Paris, the Elysée Palace announced on Tuesday.
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The decision was made four months after the famous burglary of the museum and the theft of the crown jewels, valued at EUR 88 million. The museum director then admitted that none of the surveillance cameras were watching the second-floor balcony. This is where the thieves got to the Louvre.
In an official statement, the Elysée Palace emphasized that the president considered des Cars' resignation an “act of responsibility”, pointing out that “the largest museum in the world needs peace and a new, strong impulse to successfully implement large projects”.
The Crown Jewels were stolen from the Louvre during the heist of the century. In the photo: Empress Eugenie's pearl diadem displayed in the Apollo Gallery, housing the royal collection of jewels
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MAEVA DESTOMBES/AFP/East News / East News
The priorities for the coming years include the modernization and strengthening of the facility's security, as well as the implementation of the New Renaissance program. It assumes, among others: construction of a new entrance to the museum and creation of a separate space for the famous Mona Lisa.
See also: “Leap of the century” in the Louvre. There is new information and evidence
The heist of the century on the Louvre is taking its toll
Laurence des Cars resigned after the theft on October 19, 2025, but the then Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, did not accept her resignation.
After leaving the Louvre des Cars, according to the Elysée Palace, he will take up a mission as part of the French presidency of the G7. Its task will be cooperation between the largest museums in the world.
See also: Did the Louvre move the jewels to a heavily guarded place? It's 27 meters underground
What was stolen from the Louvre? 88 million in seven minutes
A spectacular theft at the Louvre took place on October 19, 2025. The perpetrators entered the museum from the Seine embankment, using an external lift to enter through the balcony window. Within seven minutes, they stole the valuables of the French monarchs from the display case.
A recording has been revealed that shows the moment the thieves escape from the museum. Although the perpetrators were arrested, the jewels could not be recovered.
Eight jewels were stolen from the Galerie d'Apollon. She was among them Empress Eugenie's tiaradecorated with 2 thousand diamonds and two necklaces. The theft at the Louvre was hailed as the “heist of the century”, and the value of the jewelry was estimated at over $88 million.
The Louvre after a spectacular theft. The principal leaves
During a hearing before the French Senate committee, the museum's director admitted that none of the surveillance cameras were watching the balcony on the second floor. It was from there that thieves entered the Louvre to steal historic jewels.
Des Cars also revealed that private security guards outside the museum, who heard the alarms on their radio system, ran to the criminals' van and managed to stop the thieves from setting it on fire before escaping. This helped save valuable evidence.
The thieves used cutters to remove the jewels from the display case. Two perpetrators, wearing reflective vests, pretended to be workers.
The theft took place in a gallery located a short distance from some of the world's most famous paintings, such as the Mona Lisa. The criminal they robbed Louvre after making the “leap of the century”, they drove away on scooters.
