The crown of Our Lady of Lourdes
150 YEARS OF A MELLERIO CROWN
From September 25 to 28, 2026, Pope Leo XIV visited France, including a historic stop in Lourdes, where he celebrated Mass on Sunday, September 27, on the grounds of the Sanctuary. To mark this exceptional occasion, the Crown of France, one of the treasured historic pieces of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, was presented to the public.
Created by Mellerio in 1876 for the crowning of the statue of the Virgin Mary, the crown celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2026. Designed to evoke the Immaculate Conception, its delicate composition brought together white-enamelled fleurs-de-lis, stars, gold, pearls and diamonds. Twelve slender stems of golden lilies rose from the crown, their lance-shaped leaves and delicate blossoms adorned with diamonds that evoked the glistening drops of morning dew.
Preserved among the Sanctuary’s treasures for nearly a century and a half, this exceptional creation once again took its place at the heart of Lourdes, marking a rare encounter between Mellerio’s heritage, sacred art and the enduring spiritual history of the Sanctuary.
MELLERIO, JEWELLER TO QUEENS AND SANCTUAIRES
Founded in 1613, Mellerio is the oldest French jewellery Maison, established at 9, rue de la Paix since the 19th century. Jeweller to European courts, the Maison has adorned figures including Marie Antoinette, Empress Eugénie and Princess Mathilde.
Mellerio’s savoir-faire is equally woven into France’s religious heritage, through crowns created for some of the country’s most revered sanctuaries, from Lisieux to Fourvière, and from the Sacré-Cœur to Mont-Saint-Michel. It is within this dual heritage, shaped by royal courts and places of devotion, that the Crown of France at Lourdes holds its place.
On February 1, 1876, a papal brief issued by Pope Pius IX ordered the crowning of the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, created by sculptor Jean-Marie Cabuchet. A national subscription was launched throughout France to fund the ceremony, and on March 20, Mellerio offered to create the crown. On July 3, 1876, Archbishop Meglia of Damascus solemnly crowned the Virgin before an assembly of bishops and cardinals.
150 YEARS LATER, A SAVOIR-FAIRE THAT LIVES ON
One hundred and fifty years after the creation of the Crown of France, Mellerio continues to weave together heritage, jewellery and spirituality. In its Parisian workshops, the Maison preserves the gestures and savoir-faire that allow historic creations to endure across generations, from gouache drawings to hand engraving and hand setting.
The crown’s enduring presence in Lourdes is a testament to this continuity. More than a jewel, it embodies a story, a savoir-faire and a memory passed down through time. As it celebrates its 150th anniversary, its presentation during Pope Leo XIV’s visit offers a powerful reminder of the singular bond Mellerio has forged, over centuries, with France’s heritage and spiritual history.
“To see this crown still present in Lourdes, 150 years later, is a rare and deeply moving experience for a Maison like ours.
It reminds us that our role is not simply to create beautiful objects, but to create pieces that transcend time and carry the faith and memory of an entire nation.”
Laure-Isabelle Mellerio
