Empress’ crown left behind during Louvre museum heist, photos released

In an audacious heist at the Louvre museum in October 2025, thieves fled with a priceless crown belonging to Empress Eugenie. The crown, which belonged to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III of France, is adorned with eight gold eagles set in emeralds and diamonds.

The thieves left the crown on the sidewalk outside the museum as they fled. More than three months later, the Louvre has released some photos of the crown. The photos show the crown in almost disrepair. The diamond arches have been torn off, the jeweled cross is leaning to one side and one eagle is missing. The Louvre said it would soon call for proposals to repair the crown.

Olivier Gabbet, director of the museum's decorative arts department, said the initial cost of the renovation was 40,000 euros. Since almost all the pieces have been recovered, the real cost will be only for minor repairs.

The theft occurred just 30 minutes after the museum opened. It exposed the weaknesses of the old security system. An investigation by more than 1,000 police officers led to five charges, but no other jewelry was found besides the crown.

The crown of Empress Eugenie is one of a limited collection of French royal jewels. Made for the 1855 World's Fair, it contains 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds. When most of the royal jewels were sold at auction in 1887, the empress sued for its return and later handed it over to her goddaughter. The Louvre acquired it in 1988.

Experts say the thieves tried to force the crown out through a small hole in the glass showcase, causing it to bend and fall to the pavement, further damaging it. Museum authorities hope to put the crown back on public display by the end of this year.