Louvre's New Director Christophe Leribault Outlines Post-Heist Vision

Christophe Leribault, the Louvre's new director, has revealed plans for the museum following a $100 million heist in October 2025. The Apollo Gallery, where the theft occurred, will reopen in July without its display cases, allowing its Romantic wall paintings to take center stage. Empress Eugénie's diamond-and-emerald crown, crushed during the theft, is being restored and will become a new highlight. Leribault emphasized security upgrades including bars on windows, 100 new cameras by 2026, a mobile police station, and a new security coordinator. The heist led to the resignation of former director Laurence des Cars in February. Leribault confirmed the Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance plan, a €1-billion project announced by President Macron in January 2025, which includes infrastructure fixes, a dedicated Mona Lisa room, and a new Seine-side entrance. The architectural competition winner will be announced on May 13, with construction starting after 2028. Leribault proposed reducing the acquisition budget from 20% to 12% of ticket sales to fund renovations, sidelining contemporary art. Staff protests over overcrowding and conditions occurred in June, December, and January, briefly closing the museum. Leribault is meeting with staff representatives and renovating break rooms.