A silver steward employed at the Élysée Palace in Paris has been arrested on charges of stealing silverware and porcelain valued at up to €40,000 (£35,000). The arrest occurred last week during an investigation into a series of thefts targeting high-profile French institutions. The steward, along with two alleged accomplices, is accused of pilfering items from the official residence of the French President and attempting to sell them on online auction platforms like Vinted.
The theft came to light when the head steward of the palace reported missing items, some classified as national heritage. Key pieces include fine porcelain from the Sèvres Manufactory, a prestigious factory owned by the French state since 1759. Investigators began scrutinizing Élysée Palace staff after factory personnel recognized some stolen items listed for sale online.
Details of the Investigation and Arrest
Prosecutors revealed that the inventory records maintained by the arrested steward suggested he was planning additional thefts. His Vinted account featured a plate marked “French Air Force” and ashtrays from the Sèvres Manufactory, items typically unavailable to the public. Authorities recovered around 100 objects from his home, vehicle, and personal locker, including Sèvres porcelain, a René Lalique statuette, Baccarat champagne coupes, and copper saucepans.
The three individuals suspected of involvement appeared in court on October 18, 2023, and are scheduled for trial on February 26, 2024. They have been placed under judicial supervision, which includes restrictions on contacting one another, attending auction venues, and engaging in their professional activities, according to reports from the Associated Press.
The Broader Context of Cultural Theft in France
This incident is part of a troubling trend of thefts from prestigious French cultural institutions. Recently, the Louvre suffered a daylight raid, resulting in the loss of crown jewels valued at approximately €88 million (£77 million). Four suspects have been arrested in connection with that case.
In addition to the Louvre, other notable institutions have been targeted. In September, thieves raided Paris’s Natural History Museum, stealing six gold nuggets worth around €1.5 million (£1.3 million). A porcelain museum in Limoges also reported losses of Chinese porcelain valued at approximately €6.55 million (£5.7 million). Further, in October, around 2,000 gold and silver coins worth about €90,000 (£78,000) were taken from the Maison des Lumières, a museum dedicated to philosopher Denis Diderot.
While the Élysée Palace has successfully recovered the stolen items, the ongoing series of thefts has raised significant concerns regarding the security measures in place at France’s cultural institutions.
