Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - Three men will stand trial next year after a silver steward employed at the official residence of the French president was arrested over the theft of silverware and table service items worth thousands of euros, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
The disappearance was reported by the head steward of the
Élysée Palace, with the estimated value of the missing items placed between
15,000 and 40,000 euros.
The Sèvres Manufactory, which supplied much of the palace’s
tableware and furnishings, identified several of the missing items listed for
sale on online auction platforms. Subsequent questioning of Élysée staff led
investigators to suspect one of the silver stewards, whose inventory records
suggested he may have been planning further thefts.
Investigators determined that the steward was in a
relationship with the manager of a company that specializes in the online sale
of objects, particularly tableware. On the steward’s Vinted account,
authorities found a plate stamped “French Air Force” and ashtrays marked
“Sèvres Manufactory,” items that are not available to the general public.
Around 100 objects were recovered from the steward’s
personal locker, his vehicle and the couple’s home. Items seized included
copper saucepans, Sèvres porcelain, a René Lalique statuette and Baccarat
champagne coupes.
The two were arrested earlier this week, and investigators
also identified a third individual accused of receiving the stolen goods. All
recovered items were returned to the Élysée Palace.
The three suspects appeared in court on charges of jointly
stealing movable property classified as part of France’s national heritage, an
offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 150,000
euros, as well as aggravated handling of stolen goods.
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