About
Xavier Dectot
Chief heritage curator, art historian and museum director for fifteen years, in France and abroad.
From opening a major regional museum to preparing a museum designed by Herzog & de Meuron, one thread runs throughout: leading ambitious cultural projects, from the scholarly idea to the public.
since 2024
Director, Musée national Clemenceau-de LattreSecuring the future and reorganising France's only national museum in a rural setting.
2019-2022
Director, Lusail Museum, DohaIntellectual project, collection strategy and preparation of a museum designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
2016-2019
Keeper of Art and Design, National Museums ScotlandLeading a department of curators and opening the new art, design and fashion galleries.
2011-2016
Founding Director, Louvre-LensOpening a major regional museum: 80 staff, a 15 M€ budget, up to 1.5 M€ in patronage a year.
2001-2011
Curator, Musée de Cluny, ParisSculpture, ivories and ceramics; curator of seven exhibitions.
PhD from the École pratique des hautes études and archivist-palaeographer of the École nationale des chartes. Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and of Scotland.