Matthias Grolier appointed director of France Muséums

Matthias Grolier, former chief of staff to Laurence des Cars at the Louvre, has been appointed director general of France Muséums, succeeding Hervé Barbaret. The agency, created in 2007 from a Franco-Emirati agreement, manages the Louvre Abu Dhabi partnership and coordinates contributions from 21 French partner institutions including the Louvre, Centre Pompidou, Musée d'Orsay, BNF, and Quai Branly. Grolier, 45, brings experience in international relations and business law, having been a partner at Gide Loyrette Nouel and a cultural ministry advisor. His appointment comes as France Muséums seeks to diversify beyond the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which faces repercussions from Gulf conflict. In December 2024, its subsidiary signed an agreement with India for the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum in New Delhi. Grolier holds degrees from Assas and HEC Paris. Barbaret, an ENA graduate and former secretary general of the culture ministry, led the agency since 2019.