New Louvre president vows to build a 'culture of security' after jewel heist

Almost a year after thieves disguised as construction workers made off with eight pieces of the French Crown Jewels valued at around €88 million from the Galerie d'Apollon, the Louvre's new president Christophe Leribault spoke publicly on 1 October 2026 about his plan to embed a 'culture of security' across the world's most-visited museum. Leribault, who succeeded Laurence des Cars after she stepped down in the wake of the 19 October 2025 heist, said security must now be factored into every curatorial, architectural and operational decision from the outset. A senior police officer has been brought in to oversee museum protection. Leribault is simultaneously campaigning for state and private funds for a sweeping renovation of the Louvre's ageing infrastructure. The interview, carried in French and international art press and summarised in ARTnews' Morning Links, dominated art-world conversation and remained one of the day's most-read museum stories.