Allegations of corruption probe reach Élysée Palace Investigators denied access to French presidential residence

French investigators on April 14 were denied access to the Élysée presidential palace as they tried to search the premises as part of a probe into favouritism and corruption.

Officers from the anti-corruption unit are investigating why the same company was chosen over numerous years to host induction ceremonies at the Pantheon mausoleum, where notable French figures are buried, Euractive reports.

Earlier, a source familiar with the matter said the raid had taken place at the palace, the current home of President Emmanuel Macron.

But the financial public prosecutor said later on April 14 that investigators were denied access to the palace.

They were told that the Constitution guarantees “the inviolability of premises attached to the Presidency of the Republic,” financial public prosecutor Pascal Prache said in a statement.

“Investigators arrived at the Presidency of the Republic this morning,” the French president’s office said.

They have been informed that “documents belonging to Élysée staff, which are unrelated to the head of state’s duties and are therefore accessible, would be provided to them upon request.”

The searches targeted “various locations,” including “residences,” Prache added, without giving further details.

The searches are part of an investigation launched in October 2025 into suspected favouritism, corruption and influence peddling.

French newspaper Le Canard Enchaine had reported the dawn raid.

The newspaper said it came as investigators were looking into why Shortcut Events had for over two decades until 2024 been picked to host the induction into the Pantheon mausoleum.

The newspaper estimated that each ceremony cost “around 2 million euros.”

The last ceremony the events company organised, according to Le Canard Enchaine, was one in 2024 to honour Missak Manouchian, a stateless Armenian poet who died fighting the Nazi occupation of France during World War II.

Before that, French-American dancer, singer, Resistance member and rights activist Josephine Baker became the first black woman to enter the Pantheon in 2021.