PARIS, France: Laurence des Cars, the director of the iconic Louvre Museum, resigned on February 24 after being in the public glare for months following the theft in October 2025 of the French crown jewels.

After five years at the helm of the world's most visited museum, des Cars was facing increasing pressure amid widening scrutiny over security failures and labor unrest.

That pressure increased after French authorities reported a suspected ticket fraud operation linked to the museum that investigators say had been going on for decades and may have cost the Louvre 10 million euros (US$11.8 million).

President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation of Louvre director Laurence des Cars, calling it "an act of responsibility." His office said the Louvre Museum now needs calm and fresh energy to improve security, modernize the museum, and move ahead with major projects.

Macron plans to give des Cars a new role during France's presidency of the Group of Seven (G7), focusing on cooperation between leading museums.

Many people in France's cultural sector had been wondering for months why no senior official had stepped down after the shocking daytime robbery at the Louvre. Many saw it as one of the most embarrassing security failures in French cultural history.

Lawmakers and cultural officials had also been increasing pressure on the museum's leadership and reviewing its security since the theft.

In October, thieves stole the crown jewels worth 88 million euros ($102 million) from the Louvre in less than eight minutes during a weekend operation. The robbery shocked visitors, exposed serious security weaknesses, and left important national treasures in the hands of criminals. Some suspects were later arrested, but the stolen jewels have not been recovered.

Des Cars, one of Europe's most well-known museum directors, had offered to resign on the day of the robbery, but the culture minister initially refused. After the theft, she called it a "tragic, brutal" moment for the Louvre and said it felt right to offer her resignation as the person in charge.

In an interview with the newspaper Le Figaro, she said she tried to guide the museum through the crisis but believed she could no longer carry out needed reforms in the current situation. Staying in the role, she said, would have meant maintaining the status quo when major changes are still needed.

She also said the break-in exposed long-standing problems she had warned about, such as outdated infrastructure, technical systems, and overcrowding.

Des Cars had led the Louvre since 2021, taking charge as the museum reopened after the coronavirus pandemic and tourism returned.

In June, a sudden strike by front-of-house and security staff forced the museum to close temporarily, leaving thousands of visitors waiting outside the glass pyramid. Workers complained about overcrowding, staff shortages, and difficult working conditions.

Her resignation came shortly after authorities revealed a separate ticket fraud case. Prosecutors say some tour guides may have reused the same tickets up to 20 times a day to bring in different groups, sometimes with help from Louvre employees. Investigators believe this scheme may have been running for about 10 years.