Three Men to Stand Trial in Theft of Élysée Palace Silverware

PARIS — Three men will stand trial next year after a silver steward at the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the French president, was arrested this week in connection with the theft of silverware and related table service valued in the thousands of euros, the Paris prosecutor’s office said. The loss is estimated at 15,000 to 40,000 euros ($17,500 to $47,000). The Élysée Palace’s head steward reported the disappearance, triggering the investigation.

Investigators traced several missing items to the Sèvres Manufactory, which supplied most of the palace’s furnishings, and identified them on online auction sites. Questioning of Élysée staff led investigators to suspect one of the silver stewards, whose inventory records gave the impression he was planning future thefts. Investigators learned the man was in a relationship with the manager of a company that specializes in online sales of objects, notably tableware.

On his Vinted account, prosecutors found a plate stamped “French Air Force” and “Sèvres Manufactory” ashtrays that are not available to the general public. Around 100 objects were found in the silver steward’s personal locker, his vehicle and their home. Among the recovered items were copper saucepans, Sèvres porcelain, a René Lalique statuette and Baccarat champagne coupes. Two of the three suspects were arrested Tuesday, and the items were eventually returned to the Élysée Palace.

The three suspects appeared in court Thursday on charges of jointly stealing movable property listed as part of the national heritage — an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a 150,000-euro fine, as well as aggravated handling of stolen goods. The trial was postponed to Feb. 26. The defendants were placed under judicial supervision, banned from contacting one another, prohibited from appearing at auction venues and barred from their professional activities.

Officials said the recovered items were returned to the Élysée Palace.