PARIS.- The Louvre Museum has announced that Hélène Guichard, a renowned Egyptologist and longtime deputy director of the Department of Egyptian Antiquities, will be its new director. Guichard's appointment comes as the museum prepares for a major redesign and the department's 200th anniversary in 2027. She will officially begin her new role on September 1, 2025.

Guichard is taking the helm from Vincent Rondot, who is retiring after leading the department since 2014. Louvre President-Director Laurence des Cars praised Rondot, a general curator and respected specialist, for his significant work on Nubian studies, which brought new life to a vital part of the Louvre's collection.

Guichard's mission is clear: to steer the department into what the museum is calling a "Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance." Her vision will focus on modernizing the scientific approach, reimagining the gallery layout, and improving how the public interacts with the collection.

An internationally recognized Egyptologist, Guichard is a perfect fit for the job. She holds a Ph.D. in the field and has a long history of teaching, curating exhibitions, and leading archaeological missions in Egypt. Her expertise in funerary practices and material culture is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the department's collection of over 60,000 works.

As director, Guichard will oversee all aspects of the department, from conservation and research to acquisitions and public programs. Her appointment signals the Louvre's commitment to not only preserving its world-famous collection but also making it more accessible and relevant for a new generation of museum-goers.