Louvre Crown Damaged in Bold Heist
During a daring theft at the Louvre last October, thieves left the crown of French Empress Eugenie crushed but mostly intact. The diamond-studded headpiece, belonging to Napoleon III’s wife, suffered damage when the thieves dropped it while fleeing.
The museum shared the first images of the crown since the incident. Officials reported that although the crown is badly deformed, it still holds 56 emeralds and nearly all of its 1,354 diamonds. One of the eight golden eagles that adorned the crown is missing.
Restoration Plans Underway
Museum experts say the 19th-century crown can be restored fully without reconstructing it. A committee led by the Louvre’s president, Laurence des Cars, will supervise the restoration process to ensure it returns to its original glory.
How the Heist Unfolded
The October 19 robbery targeted the Galerie d’Apollon, known for its collection of royal and imperial jewelry. Thieves used a stolen mechanical lift to access the gallery from a balcony near the River Seine. Two of them cut through a window with power tools.
They threatened the guards, forcing them to evacuate, and then sawed through two display cases. While the crown remained behind, seven other items, including a diamond-studded tiara, necklaces, earrings, and brooches, were stolen.
The thieves managed to escape on two scooters, spending less than four minutes inside the gallery. Authorities have arrested four suspects, but the mastermind remains at large.
Crown Almost Intact Despite Damage
The Louvre confirmed that despite the crown’s deformation, it remains “nearly intact” and can be restored to its former state. This reassuring update comes after months of public concern over the safety of the museum’s historic treasures.
