A trial is underway in Paris against three individuals accused of a long-running series of thefts of valuable porcelain from the Élysée Palace. The main defendant, a 60-year-old former manager of the French president's residence, allegedly spent years removing dishes and figurines. Along with his partner and a Louvre employee, they sold them on auction websites. The losses are estimated at 370,000 euros. The prosecution has requested prison sentences with adapted conditions. The defense emphasizes that their clients did not act for profit, but out of a passion for art.
Theft from the Élysée Palace
The basis of the indictment is the long-term removal of valuable items from the French president's residence. The main defendant, serving as the manager of the palace's movable property from 2008 to 2022, allegedly systematically stole porcelain from dining rooms and storage areas, exploiting his position and access. Losses are estimated at 370,000 euros.
Louvre Connection and Sales
A Louvre employee was also involved in the scheme, handling the restoration of damaged items before their sale. Stolen items were listed on auction websites like Catawiki and eBay by the main defendant's partner. Profits from sales are estimated at around 50,000 euros.
Sentencing Requests and Defense
The prosecution requested a three-year prison sentence for the main defendant, with two years suspended and with adapted conditions, which would allow serving the sentence outside a prison facility. For the other two defendants, prison sentences with the possibility of adaptation were requested. The defense argues that their clients acted under the influence of a "collector's passion," not for profit.
Scale of Losses and Value of Artifacts
Over a hundred items were stolen from the Élysée Palace, mainly valuable Sèvres porcelain and pieces from the Limoges manufactory. Among them were plates, cups, vases, and figurines. Some stolen goods were recovered thanks to a police investigation. The trial revealed gaps in the inventory and security system for state property.
A trial has begun in a Paris court concerning one of the more surprising cases of state property theft in France. Three people are in the dock: the former manager of the movable property of the Élysée Palace, his partner, and a Louvre museum employee. The charges involve the organized theft of over a hundred valuable porcelain items, mainly Sèvres and Limoges, from the presidential residence between 2008 and 2022. The material damage is estimated at 370,000 euros, and the profit from selling some items on auction sites at around 50,000 euros. The Élysée Palace, the official residence of French presidents since 1873, holds rich collections of art and furnishings constituting national heritage. Sèvres porcelain, produced since the 18th century at the Sèvres manufactory, has long been considered a symbol of French luxury and courtly art, and its historical services are protected as cultural heritage. The main defendant, a 60-year-old man, served as the manager of the movable property of the Élysée Palace, which gave him broad access to rooms and storage areas. As the investigation established, for over a dozen years he allegedly removed porcelain dishes and figurines from the palace. His partner handled selling these items on auction websites like Catawiki. The third defendant, a Louvre employee, was to restore damaged pieces, preparing them for sale. The prosecution, describing this practice as a "sad and complicated case," requested a three-year prison sentence for the former manager, with two years suspended and the possibility of adapting the conditions of its serving. For the other two men, sentences of 18 and 15 months imprisonment were requested, also with the possibility of adaptation. „Il ne cherchait pas le profit, il cherchait le beau. C'est important de comprendre ça. Il volait, c'est sûr, mais il volait pour le beau, pas pour l'argent.” (He wasn't seeking profit, he was seeking beauty. It's important to understand that. He stole, that's for sure, but he stole for beauty, not for money.) — Patrick Knecht, lawyer for the main defendant The defense line focuses on aesthetic, not material, motivations. The main defendant's lawyer emphasized that his client acted under the influence of a "collector's passion" and a "love of beauty." The defendant himself testified that his choices were guided by aesthetics: "I made choices based on beauty." The prosecutor, however, alleged that this was simply organized plunder of public property. The trial also revealed serious deficiencies in the security system and inventory control at the Élysée Palace. Stolen items, often worth several thousand euros each, were removed in bags or cardboard boxes. Some were recovered thanks to a police operation, during which over 70 items were secured at the defendants' apartment. The verdict in this case will be announced on March 13, 2026.