Louvre Director Christophe Leribault Warns Museum Is 'Running Out of Steam'

In February 2025, Christophe Leribault was named the president-director of the Louvre and later addressed a French Senate committee regarding the museum's dire situation. Although it holds the title of the most visited museum globally, the Louvre is grappling with outdated facilities and pressing requirements. The recent jewel theft from the Galerie d'Apollon highlighted significant security weaknesses. Leribault remarked, "it's a Louvre running out of steam." He referred to a substantial investment plan, which includes relocating over 10,000 Greek vases. Security enhancements will feature a new command center by October and a perimeter video system set for January 2027. President Emmanuel Macron's 'Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance' initiative, announced in January 2025, seeks €660 million for transformation, with construction slated to begin after the 2027 elections.