(DPA, REUTERS)

French President ⁠Emmanuel Macron has ​appointed ​Christophe ‌Leribault, ⁠the ​current head ‌of the Versailles Palace, ‌as director ​of the Louvre ‌museum in Paris, ​the French ​government ‌spokesperson ⁠said ‌on ‌Wednesday.

French art historian Leribault is expected to take over as director following the resignation of Laurence des Cars.

The Palace of Versailles near Paris which Leribault currently heads is one of France's most visited cultural landmarks.

The Louvre directorship is considered one of the country's most important cultural posts.

Leribault previously served as director of the Musée d'Orsay and the Petit Palais in Paris. Earlier in his career, he worked in the Louvre's graphics department.

Des Cars stepped down on Tuesday, around four months after the theft of jewels worth millions from the museum in Paris, as well as amid a series of other challenges. In a statement, the Élysée Palace described her resignation as "an act of responsibility."