Three men will stand trial next year after French authorities uncovered a high-value theft of silverware and table service items from the official residence of the French President, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.
Theft detected after missing inventory at presidential residence
The case emerged after the head steward at the Elysée Palace reported the disappearance of multiple silver items, with the estimated value ranging between €15,000 and €40,000. The loss involved pieces used for official state hospitality, prompting an internal review and a criminal investigation.
Investigators soon focused on a silver steward employed at the presidential residence after inconsistencies were found in his inventory records, which reportedly suggested preparations for further thefts.
Online listings raised red flags
The probe gained momentum when the Sèvres Manufactory, which supplies much of the palace’s tableware and furnishings, identified several missing items listed for sale on online auction platforms.
Questioning of palace staff led investigators to suspect the silver steward, who was found to be in a relationship with the manager of a company specialising in the online sale of decorative and tableware items. Police later discovered listings on his Vinted account, including a plate stamped “French Air Force” and Sèvres ashtrays that are not available to the general public.
Luxury items recovered during searches
Searches conducted by investigators resulted in the recovery of around 100 objects from the steward’s personal locker, vehicle, and shared home. Among the seized items were copper saucepans, Sèvres porcelain, a René Lalique statuette, and Baccarat champagne coupes. All recovered items have since been returned to the Elysée Palace, officials confirmed.
Serious heritage crime charges
The silver steward and his partner were arrested earlier this week, while investigators also identified a single receiver of the stolen goods. All three suspects appeared before a court on Thursday.
They have been charged with jointly stealing movable property listed as part of France’s national heritage, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to €150,000. Charges of aggravated handling of stolen goods have also been invoked.
The trial has been scheduled for February 26. Until then, the accused have been placed under judicial supervision, barred from contacting one another, prohibited from attending auction venues, and suspended from their professional activities.