A senior Élysée Palace staff faces trial over the theft of presidential tableware including rare Baccarat glasses and Sèvres porcelain.

theft, Élysée Palace, French news, Baccarat, Sèvres porcelain, art crime, state dinner, Louvre

Theft of Presidential Tableware at Élysée Palace: Chief Butler Faces Trial

In a high-profile case, a senior staff member at France’s presidential palace is set to stand trial for the alleged theft of presidential tableware. This incident has sent ripples throughout France’s political and cultural circles, putting the spotlight on the security of French national heritage items.

Details of the Theft at the Élysée Palace

Thomas M, reportedly the Élysée Palace’s chief butler, is accused of stealing around 100 priceless objects from the presidential collection. The missing items include Baccarat Champagne glasses, Sèvres porcelain plates, solid silver cutlery, and a René Lalique figurine. French prosecutors estimate the value of the stolen goods at €15,000 to €40,000 (£13,000–£35,000).

How the Stolen Items Were Discovered

• Investigators tracked down some of the tableware to the personal locker, car, and home of Thomas M.
• Items were also found for sale on his Vinted account, a major online marketplace popular in Europe.
• Sèvres officials recognized some porcelain on auction sites, identifying pieces such as a plate embossed with an air force stamp and ashtrays.

Who Else Is Involved?

Thomas M will stand trial with two others:

• Damien G: Partner of Thomas M, collector, and manager of an online auction company, arrested on December 16 on suspicion of theft.
• Ghislain M: Arrested for receiving stolen goods the next day; reportedly a Louvre guard at the time and described as passionate about rare antiques.

Allegations of Cover-Up and Planned Thefts

Prosecutors allege Thomas M falsified inventory records to mask the thefts and possibly planned to steal more valuable goods. His responsibility as head butler involved both setting the table for state dinners and acting as keeper of valuable artefacts.

Wider Impact and Response

This theft of presidential tableware comes just months after another high-profile art crime: the bold heist at the Louvre Museum, where jewels worth €88 million (£76 million) were stolen. Authorities are now reviewing security and inventory controls at major French institutions.

The Élysée Palace has already advertised for a new chief butler, reflecting both the seriousness of the breach and the historic importance of these roles (TF1 Info).

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

According to BBC News and Le Parisien, the trial is scheduled for February. Ghislain M, one of the accused, has been barred from returning to the Louvre until the legal proceedings are resolved.

Further Reading

• For more about the Sèvres porcelain, visit the Sèvres National Ceramics Museum.
• Find updates on French culture and national heritage in our French Cultural Heritage section.