Laurence des Cars has been compelled to resign as president of the Louvre Museum, a position she held since January 2025, following a significant security lapse. The decision comes after the audacious theft of the Crown Jewels on October 19, 2025, where burglars easily breached the museum's security. Des Cars, who had championed the ambitious "Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance" project, including the potential relocation of the Mona Lisa and the creation of new spaces, had previously warned about the museum's aging infrastructure and security vulnerabilities. Her departure, six months before her term was set to end, is also attributed to strained relations with unions, who had been striking over working conditions and felt their concerns were not adequately addressed, particularly in light of pre-existing audit reports highlighting the risk of such a heist.