The Élysée Palace was raided in connection with an investigation into fraud related to reburials
On Thursday, May 21, 2026, French law enforcement officials conducted searches at the official premises of the Élysée Palace. The investigative actions took place as part of a large-scale judicial investigation into corruption and financial fraud. The case concerns abuses during the organization of state ceremonies to transfer the remains of prominent figures to the Panthéon in Paris.
This was reported by the BFMTV television channel.
According to the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF), formal legal proceedings were initiated as early as October 2025. The investigation is examining allegations under several serious charges, including:
Favoritism and violations of public procurement rules;
Illegal receipt of benefits and conflict of interest;
Corrupt practices and abuse of influence.
The main focus of the Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade (BFAC) is on the long-term contracts that the Center for National Monuments (CMN) entered into with the private company Shortcut Events. This agency has coordinated the most important national celebrations for 22 years—through 2024. In particular, it organized ceremonies for national figures such as Josephine Baker in 2021 and Missak Manouchian in 2024. Investigative journalists from Le Canard Enchaîné found that hosting just one such event cost the French budget approximately 2 million euros. Investigators are looking into whether the firm received exceptional preferential treatment and illegal support from the Ministry of Culture and the presidential administration.
This visit by law enforcement to the head of state’s residence was the second of its kind. A previous attempt to conduct a search took place a month ago—on April 14. At that time, investigators were denied access to the offices, citing Article 67 of the French Constitution, which guarantees the inviolability of the official residence of the incumbent president and exempts him from criminal liability or the obligation to testify. The current searches on May 21 were only carried out after lengthy official negotiations between representatives of the prosecutor’s office and the legal service of Emmanuel Macron’s administration. However, the Élysée Palace emphasized that the agreed-upon inspection concerns exclusively the documentation of individual administration aides and does not affect the president’s own activities.
On December 21, 2025, details emerged of a high-profile investigation into the theft of valuable property from the official residence of the President of France. According to reports from the Paris prosecutor’s office, a palace steward identified as Thomas M., along with two accomplices—his partner Damien G. and an acquaintance, Gislain M.—are accused of systematically stealing silverware, porcelain, and works of art.
A video of the brazen robbery at the Louvre has also surfaced.
