Louvre Thieves Leave Crown Crumpled
Last year, a brazen burglary at the Louvre Museum resulted in significant damage to a historic artifact. Thieves broke into the iconic museum and targeted the crown of Empress Eugénie, the spouse of Napoleon III.
Louvre Thieves Leave Crown Crumpled: Details of the Incident
According to museum reports, the thieves initially attempted to extract the crown from its display case. This was located in the Apollo Gallery, where they had cut a narrow opening in the glass. During this act, the crown sustained its first damage.
As they fled, the criminals dropped the crown outside on the sidewalk, causing further deformation. Despite the events, the crown remains “nearly intact” but is described as “badly deformed.”
Current Condition of the Crown
The crown is studded with emeralds and diamonds and remains largely complete. Notably, it retains:
- All 56 emeralds
- 1,344 of its 1,354 diamonds
- Only one of its eight golden eagles is missing
This damage will not hinder its restoration. The Louvre has announced that experts can restore the crown to its original state without needing to rebuild it entirely.
Restoration Plans
A committee led by the Louvre president, Laurence des Cars, will oversee the restoration process. A specialist will be selected through a competitive process to ensure high-quality restoration.
Investigation and Suspects
Authorities have confirmed that all four individuals suspected of the theft are currently in custody. However, the mastermind behind this heist and eight other stolen items, including a diamond tiara once owned by Eugénie, is still at large.
The museum continues to work diligently to restore the crown and recover all stolen artifacts, reaffirming its commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
