The crown of Empress Eugenie, which was significantly damaged during a robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris last October, has been deemed restorable without the need for reconstruction. In a statement, the museum noted that the crown, which had suffered from severe deformation when dropped by the thieves during their escape, managed to retain much of its integrity despite the damage. This gives restoration experts a positive outlook for fully restoring the piece of jewelry.

During a session with the French Senate's culture committee on October 22, Laurence des Cars, the president of the world's most visited museum, expressed optimism regarding the restoration process, stating it would be delicate yet feasible. The crown was improperly extracted from its display case through a narrow groove made with a grinder, which contributed to its deformation. It was later recovered at the foot of the Apollo Gallery, where the robbery took place, on October 19, 2022.

The museum has provided details on the damage to the crown, including the loss of some pieces during the theft. However, the Louvre indicated that almost all parts of the crown remain intact, thus enhancing the prospects for a successful restoration. This event has raised discussions about security and the preservation of cultural heritage in the wake of high-profile art heists, highlighting the need for better protections for invaluable artifacts within museums.