In October 2025, the Louvre Museum became the target of a daring heist: the spectacular burglary. The thieves made off with eight priceless jewels, including a diadem, an emerald necklace, a brooch, and earrings—each carrying immense historical significance. They also attempted to steal Empress Eugénie's crown. During their escape, the burglars accidentally damaged and dropped the crown, which is now undergoing restoration.
But do you know about this kept at the Louvre Museum since 1988? This crown was specially crafted for a very significant occasion by jeweler Alexandre-Gabriel Lemonnier in 1855.
Emperor Napoleon III aimed to dazzle the world and showcase France's wealth and strength during the 1855 Universal Exhibition held in Paris. To achieve this, he enlisted the talents of Alexandre-Gabriel Lemonnier, commissioning him to design two new crowns—one for himself and one for his wife, Empress Eugénie.
To create these new pieces, the jeweler and Inspector of the Crown Jewels, Adolphe Devin, carefully selects diamonds and emeralds. The Empress's Crown features 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds. The arches are crafted in engraved gold, depicting eagles with outstretched wings — a symbol of the Empire and military triumphs dating back to Napoleon I. This crown embodied the splendor of the Second Empire and showcased the exceptional craftsmanship of French artisans.
In 1870, following the fall of the empire, the imperial family went into exile in the United Kingdom. Eugénie was able to reclaim her crown upon her return in 1875. During the Third Republic, Napoleon III's crown was melted down, and the jewels sold off. Eugénie was permitted to keep her crown until her death in 1920. Afterward, it was bequeathed to Princess Marie Clothilde Napoleon. In 1920, the crown was auctioned and eventually acquired by the Louvre Museum.
This crown is a remarkable artifact in French history: the nation only preserves three crowns that once belonged to sovereigns. The national collections also showcase what is known as Charlemagne's crown (created for Napoleon I’s coronation in 1804) and the crown of Louis XV, whose diamonds were replaced with replicas after his coronation. The crown of Empress Eugénie thus stands as a significant treasure within the French Crown Jewels.
The Louvre Museum confirms that the imperial crown will be fully restored. The museum has not specified whether the crown will be displayed to the public again immediately after the restoration.
Official website
collections.louvre.fr
