In a stunning breach of security at the heart of French power, three men are set to face justice next year for the audacious theft of valuable silverware and table service items from the official residence of the French president. The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed the scandal, revealing that a silver steward employed at the Élysée Palace was central to the plot.
The Discovery and Investigation
The alarm was raised by the head steward of the Élysée Palace after an inventory revealed missing items. The estimated value of the stolen goods was placed between 15,000 and 40,000 euros. The investigation took a significant turn when experts from the prestigious Sèvres Manufactory, which supplies much of the palace's tableware, identified several of the missing pieces listed for sale on online auction platforms.
This discovery led investigators to question palace staff, and suspicion quickly fell on one of the silver stewards. An examination of his inventory records suggested he may have been planning additional thefts. Authorities uncovered that the steward was in a relationship with the manager of a company specializing in the online sale of objects, particularly tableware.
The Digital Trail and Recovery
The investigation delved into the steward's online activity, where a digital trail led to his arrest. On his Vinted account, authorities found a plate stamped "French Air Force" and ashtrays marked "Sèvres Manufactory," items that are strictly not available to the general public. A subsequent search operation proved fruitful.
Investigators recovered around 100 objects from the steward's personal locker, his vehicle, and the couple's shared home. The seized haul included an array of precious items:
- Copper saucepans
- Valuable Sèvres porcelain
- A René Lalique statuette
- Baccarat champagne coupes
All recovered items were promptly returned to the Élysée Palace.
Charges and Upcoming Trial
The steward and his accomplice were arrested earlier this week. Investigators also identified a third individual accused of receiving the stolen goods. The trio appeared in court facing serious charges. They are accused of jointly stealing movable property classified as part of France's national heritage, an offense that carries a severe penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 150,000 euros. They also face charges of aggravated handling of stolen goods.
The court has postponed the trial until February 26. In the meantime, all three defendants have been placed under judicial supervision with strict conditions. They are barred from contacting one another, prohibited from appearing at auction venues, and suspended from their professional activities.
