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Louvre Says Empress Eugénie’s Crown Is Nearly Intact, Sets Full Restoration

An expert panel led by Louvre director Laurence des Cars will run a public tender to choose a qualified conservator under French heritage rules.

Overview

  • Newly released images and a condition update show the 1855 diadem is badly deformed yet retains all 56 emeralds, is missing only 10 of its 1,354 diamonds, and lacks one of eight golden eagles.
  • Museum conservators say the piece can be returned to its original state without reconstruction and plan to bring it back on view in the Galerie d’Apollon after treatment.
  • Investigators report the crown was crushed when thieves tried to force it through a narrow opening cut with an angle grinder during the October 2025 robbery.
  • A supervisory committee chaired by Laurence des Cars will oversee a competitive selection of an accredited restorer, with invited input from major French jewelry houses.
  • Four alleged members of the heist crew have been arrested, while the suspected mastermind and the rest of the roughly €88 million in stolen jewels remain missing.