Matthias Grolier, former chief of staff to Laurence des Cars at the Louvre, has been appointed director general of France Muséums, succeeding Hervé Barbaret after two consecutive three-year terms. The agency, created in 2007 from a Franco-Emirati agreement, oversees the Louvre Abu Dhabi partnership and coordinates contributions from 21 partner institutions including the Louvre, Centre Pompidou, Musée d'Orsay, BNF, and Quai Branly. Grolier brings a background in international business law and government advisory roles, though he has never led a heritage institution or museum.
The appointment comes at a critical moment as the Louvre Abu Dhabi faces repercussions from the Gulf conflict, and France Muséums seeks to diversify beyond its Emirati focus. In December 2024, its subsidiary France Muséums Développement signed an agreement with the Indian government to help create the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum in New Delhi. Grolier's expertise in international contracts and shareholder agreements is seen as vital for managing high-value intergovernmental deals, while his insider knowledge of the Louvre strengthens ties with the agency's primary shareholder and scientific partner.