PARIS (AP) 鈥� The home of the 鈥淢ona Lisa鈥� is getting a new boss. Art historian Christophe Leribault, a veteran museum director, is taking over at the Louvre, shouldering the challenge of getting the world鈥檚 largest museum after the in October of the French
French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon announced Wednesday that Leribault is taking over from outgoing Louvre director , who
The difficulties he inherits are formidable.
The daylight robbery 鈥� among the in living memory 鈥� exposed at the Paris landmark.
The former royal palace has also suffered a broad array of other problems that have presented a picture of a treasured national institution spiraling out of control.
They include a burst pipe near the 鈥淢ona Lisa,” water leaks that damaged priceless books, , staff walkouts over overcrowding, understaffing and for most non-European visitors.
Pressure for new leadership deepened in recent weeks when authorities revealed a suspected operation linked to the museum that investigators say may have cost the Louvre 10 million euros ($11.8 million).
Leribault brings a proven track record. He has been running another world-renowned French landmark and tourist attraction, the Versailles Palace, overseeing an annual budget of about 170 million euros ($200 million). The former palace for French royalty west of Paris was the venue for when Paris hosted
Leribault also is a previous head of .
鈥淗e will be tasked with leading important projects that are crucial for the institution鈥檚 future,” Bregeon said as she announced Leribault鈥檚 appointment at the Louvre.
They include security and modernization upgrades and the pursuit of a sweeping overhaul plan, branded 鈥淟ouvre New Renaissance,” that President is championing.
Unveiled by Macron in January 2025, the renovation, which could take up to a decade, aims to modernize a museum widely seen as overstretched and physically worn down by mass tourism.
The plan includes a new entrance near the Seine River to ease pressure on I.M. Pei鈥檚 pyramid, new underground spaces and a dedicated room for the 鈥淢ona Lisa鈥� with timed access 鈥� all intended to improve crowd flow and reduce the daily crush of visitors that has become a symbol of the Louvre鈥檚 success and its dysfunction.
The project is expected to cost about 1.15 billion euros ($1.35 billion) according to a recent report from France’s court of auditors. It will be partly funded by ticket revenue, state support, donations and income from the Louvre branch in Abu Dhabi.
Bregeon described Leribault as 鈥渧ery solid, trusted鈥� and said he’s expected to provide 鈥渧ision” and “calm鈥� to the museum.
In a statement, the Culture Ministry highlighted 鈥渉is extensive experience at the helm of major institutions” and said Leribault will prioritize strengthening the security and safety of the Louvre’s buildings, its collections and visitors and staff, and 鈥渞estoring a climate of trust.鈥�
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