A staff member at the Élysée Palace in Paris was arrested for allegedly stealing tableware valued at up to €40,000 (approximately £35,000). The individual, a silver steward, was apprehended along with two suspected accomplices last week, as part of an ongoing investigation into thefts from prestigious French institutions.
The thefts took place at the official residence of the French president, where the steward reportedly took silverware and porcelain items before attempting to sell them on online auction platforms, including Vinted. The head steward at the palace raised the alarm after noticing the absence of several items, some of which hold significant national heritage value.
Investigation and Recovery Efforts
Investigators began their inquiry after personnel at the Sèvres Manufactory, a renowned porcelain factory established in 1759, recognized some stolen items listed for sale online. The investigation revealed that the arrested steward had maintained inventory records suggesting he was planning further thefts. Among the items recovered from his home, vehicle, and personal locker were Sèvres porcelain pieces, a René Lalique statuette, Baccarat champagne coupes, and copper saucepans.
The authorities reported that the steward’s Vinted account featured a plate stamped “French Air Force” and ashtrays marked with the Sèvres Manufactory logo, indicating these items were not typically available to the public. Approximately 100 objects were recovered during the investigation, and they have since been returned to the Élysée Palace.
Legal Proceedings and Broader Concerns
The steward and his alleged accomplices appeared in court on October 18, 2023, and are scheduled for trial on February 26, 2024. Following their arrest, they have been placed under judicial supervision, which includes prohibitions on contacting each other, attending auction venues, and performing their professional duties, according to reports from the Associated Press.
This incident adds to growing concerns about security at cultural institutions in France. Recent months have seen a surge in thefts at prominent locations, including the Louvre, which is still dealing with the aftermath of a robbery in October that resulted in the loss of crown jewels worth approximately €88 million (around £77 million). Four individuals have been arrested in connection with that case.
Other cultural sites, such as Paris’s Natural History Museum and a porcelain museum in Limoges, have also been targeted. In September, these institutions were raided, resulting in the theft of six gold nuggets valued at about €1.5 million (approximately £1.3 million) and Chinese porcelain worth around €6.55 million (about £5.7 million), respectively. Additionally, in October, thefts from the Maison des Lumières (House of Enlightenment) in Langres included around 2,000 gold and silver coins valued at approximately €90,000 (around £78,000).
As these high-profile thefts raise alarms about security measures in France’s cultural institutions, the investigation into the Élysée Palace theft highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in safeguarding national heritage.
