Louvre's Damaged Crown of Empress Eugénie Set for Restoration After Heist

The iconic crown of Empress Eugénie, which fell during a recent heist at the Louvre, is undergoing a complete restoration after sustaining significant damage. The crown, created for Empress Eugénie and part of a rare collection of French crown jewels, was left battered on the pavement after thieves broke into the museum. Despite the damage, nearly all components of the crown remain intact, allowing for restoration without reconstruction. The museum plans to invite proposals from renowned jewelry houses for the repair work, which will be overseen by a committee of experts. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of protecting valuable cultural artifacts.

Key Details: • Restoration proposals will be invited from jewelry houses like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. • The crown features 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, with only a few small diamonds missing. • The heist occurred in October, during which eight pieces of jewelry were stolen. • The crown was created for Empress Eugénie and is part of a rare collection of French crown jewels.