Laurence des Cars has officially announced her resignation from the Louvre after more than four years in charge, a decision she describes as a necessary step to facilitate the museum's transformation and modernization efforts. Her resignation comes just four months after a high-profile incident involving the theft of crown jewels, which has overshadowed the museum’s reputation and operations. In an exclusive interview, she reflects on how her presence at the institution has become counterproductive in moving forward and executing essential changes.

In the interview, des Cars emphasizes that her mission included shaking up the status quo, even if it incurred frustration among traditionalists. She believes that her approach, while at times painful, was essential for pushing the Louvre towards modernity. Des Cars acknowledges that while she made mistakes, her overarching goal was to catalyze significant developments within the museum and create a pathway for future advancements. The decision to step down appears to be linked directly to the challenges faced by the museum in implementing her vision amid controversies.

The implications of her resignation are significant for the Louvre, a world-renowned institution that has been grappling with various challenges in recent years, including the recent theft and the balancing act of modernization versus preservation of art. Des Cars' departure raises questions about the continuity of her transformative agenda and what direction the museum will take moving forward. Her insights on the role of leadership in cultural institutions underscore the complexities involved in driving change within established entities, particularly those with rich histories like the Louvre.