French investigators searched the Élysée Palace on Tuesday, April 16th, focusing on a company, Shortcuts Events, awarded contracts for 22 years.
Investigation at the Élysée Palace
Searches took place at the Élysée Palace on Tuesday, April 14th, as first reported by the satirical weekly “Le Canard enchaîné.” “Le Monde” noted investigators were initially denied access to rooms based on constitutional protections guaranteeing the inviolability of spaces connected to the president’s office.
Millions Spent on Ceremonies
Investigators are reportedly scrutinizing the exclusive selection of Shortcuts Events. The company organized ceremonies for inducting prominent figures into the Panthéon, a resting place for distinguished French citizens.
Two Decades of Contracts and Costs
Shortcuts Events was responsible for organizing ceremonies from 2002 to 2024. According to “Le Canard enchaîné,” each event cost the French state approximately 2 million euros. A different company was selected in 2025.
First Search in Eight Years
This marks the first police search of the Élysée Palace in eight years. The previous search occurred in 2018 during President Emmanuel Macron’s first term, related to the case of Alexandre Benalla, a presidential aide caught on camera assaulting a demonstrator during a May Day protest in Paris. Police searched Benalla’s office at that time.