Elysée Palace spending: the Court of Auditors welcomes management efforts, while expressing some reservations

She also gave the Élysée Palace a thumbs-up in terms of ecological transition, with a 10% reduction in its emissions compared to 2023, thanks to the reduction in the use of air and road transport and the connection to district heating.

"After a deficit of 8,3 million euros in 2023, the 2024 financial year will end with a positive result of 6,7 million euros," the public accounts judges noted.

Spending stood at €123,3 million, down 2,2% year-on-year, "despite the sharp rise in investments, due to geothermal work and the opening of the Maison Élysée," which combines a boutique and a tea room opposite the presidential palace, they note.

Both travel expenses, for which the presidency had been criticized in 2023, and staff expenses are "lower than expected," the Court noted.

Emmanuel Macron made 94 trips – including 34 abroad – in 2024, representing a budget of 20 million euros, a decrease of 13% compared to 2023.

"Efforts to contain travel and reception expenses are continuing, including the introduction of rules relating to the format of delegations, re-invoicing certain participants in official trips and the mobilisation of air resources," the Court of Auditors said.

Due to the reopening of the major kitchens, all state dinners – from the Emir of Qatar to Chinese President Xi Jinping – have been held at the Élysée Palace, "which reduces the need for catering, temporary staff, and scenography," she adds.

As of December 31, 2024, the Presidency of the Republic employed 822 agents, civilians and military, compared to 817 in 2023.

The Presidential Security Service (DSPR), the largest department in terms of staff numbers, had 299 agents at the end of 2024. The Court points to the still excessive use of overtime in this department and calls for less expensive solutions, in particular by strengthening the "pooling of functions".

In addition to those of the Head of State, the presidency has 64 official residences, with "significantly reduced" rents, the Court further observed, calling for "a re-evaluation" in this area.

As for the Élysée Palace, the threshold of 100.000 visitors has been reached since its opening in July 2024. "To date, attendance has not reached a level that would offset the additional costs of the project," the public spending judges lament.