A New Président-Director Arrives at the musée du Louvre

Yesterday—February 25, 2026—French President Emmanuel Macron formally appointed Christophe Leribault as President and Director of the musée du Louvre, following a proposal by France’s Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, and endorsement by the President’s Conseil des Ministres. With this nomination, a new chapter begins for the Louvre—one grounded in continuity, confidence, and renewed ambition.

A distinguished curator and art historian, Christophe Leribault brings more than three decades of leadership from across France’s foremost cultural institutions. A specialist of the eighteenth century and a member of the Institut de France, his career has been defined by scholarly rigor, thoughtful stewardship, and a deep respect for historic legacy.

This new mandate also represents a homecoming of sorts. In 2006, he joined the Louvre as Deputy Head of the Department of Prints and Drawings and Director of the musée national Eugène Delacroix, which is managed by the Louvre. He later led the Petit Palais, before serving as President of the musée d’Orsay and the Orangerie. For the past two years, he presided over the Château de Versailles, guiding the institution through a period of exceptional visitation growth, ambitious programming, and significant modernization.

During his tenure there, Monsieur Leribault oversaw major security and infrastructure upgrades, strengthening the site’s ability to protect both visitors and collections. This experience will be particularly relevant as the Louvre continues to address the heightened security needs following the October 19, 2025 robbery, ensuring the museum remains a safe and secure environment for its world-renowned holdings. At the same time, he took an active role in presenting contemporary artists, an approach that aligns with the Louvre’s recent acquisitions, including works by Marlene Dumas and Mohamed Bourouissa, each marking historic firsts for the museum as the first living female artist and first video work to enter the collection.

This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Louvre. Drawing on his extensive experience, Monsieur Leribault will prioritize strengthening the safety and security of the building, the collections, and all who work within it, while restoring a climate of trust and collaboration across the institution.

At the same time,  Monsieur Leribault will continue to advance the transformative vision of Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance, working closely with the museum, its patrons, and the French government to define the next phase of this ambitious project and ensure the Louvre’s ability to fulfill its mission for generations to come.

The Ministry of Culture’s full statement may be found here.