MuCEM Suspends President Pierre-Olivier Costa and General Manager Véronique Haché Amid Staff Unrest
The European and Mediterranean Civilisations’ Museum in Marseille has suspended its president, Pierre-Olivier Costa, and its general manager, Véronique Haché, after months of mounting internal tension and allegations of harassment against Costa. The move follows a report on the museum’s workplace climate that was submitted to French culture minister Catherine Pégard two months earlier.
Pégard announced Costa’s departure on June 30, saying the decision was intended to “resume the social dialogue and restore a climate of trust in the museum.” Anne-Marie Le Guével of the General Inspectorate of Cultural Affairs, or IGAC, which prepared the report, has taken over as interim president. She arrived in Marseille the following day to tell staff that Haché had also been suspended.
The suspensions come after a difficult period for the institution. In June 2024, staff staged a strike, and two-thirds of employees later signed an open letter denouncing toxic management. A ministry source said the IGAC audit, which began in March, found rising tension and anxiety among staff.
Costa is also accused by an employee, now on medical leave, of sexual and moral harassment. The complaint was filed in March and was forwarded to the local district attorney’s office, which opened a preliminary criminal investigation. Costa’s lawyer, Marie Geoffroy, says he denies any wrongdoing and has filed a complaint for “malicious accusation” against the employee.
Costa has also said he had no access to the report sent to Pégard and that his suspension is “in any way a sanction.” Officially, the suspensions can last no more than four months, giving both Costa and Haché time to prepare their defense.
The case has drawn attention in part because of Costa’s ties to Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron. Before joining MuCEM in November 2022, he served as Brigitte Macron’s chief of staff and had held roles with the Paris city council, the Centre Pompidou, and the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée. For now, the question is whether a temporary administrative measure can restore confidence inside a museum already marked by public conflict.
