Greenpeace Activists Return Emmanuel Macron's Stolen Wax Figurine with a Protest Message
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Protesters Willingly Restore Pilfered Wax Statue of Macron - Protesters choose to restore former President Macron's swiped wax figure
In an unusual turn of events, the wax figure of French President Emmanuel Macron, stolen by environmental activists from Greenpeace, has been returned to the Musée Grévin in the heart of Paris. "The statue is unscathed," confirmed a museum spokesperson on Wednesday.
On Monday, the activists, disguised as museum workers, swiped the wax figure through an emergency exit, wrapped in a blanket. The likeness of the president, valued at around €40,000, was their prize.
After contacting the museum, Greenpeace promised to return their ill-gotten souvenir in good condition. They left the wax figure in front of the Russian embassy in Paris, protesting against the ongoing economic ties between the city and Moscow amidst the war in Ukraine.
On Tuesday evening, the activists made good on their promise, placing the figure in front of the EDF building in Paris beside a sign reading "Putin-Macron radioactive allies." The police were immediately notified, and they secured the figure.
Jean-François Julliard, the general director of Greenpeace France, spoke to the AFP news agency about the return of the statue. He explained that the figure was a "loan" for their protest. The activists handled the figure carefully, ensuring its safe return to the museum.
History repeats itself, as in 1983, the then-Paris mayor Jacques Chirac's wax figure disappeared but was found in a nearby zoo a few days later.
- Emmanuel Macron
- Paris
- Greenpeace
- Wax museum
- Police
- Theft
Noteworthy Incident: Theft and Return of Emmanuel Macron's Wax Statue
On June 3, 2025, Greenpeace activists stole the wax figure of President Emmanuel Macron from the Musée Grévin. They transported the figure to the Russian Embassy and then to the EDF building, displaying a sign criticizing Macron's environmental and foreign policies. The statue was returned overnight from June 4-5, 2025, and later retrieved by the authorities.[1][2][3][4] This notable incident showcases the use of a wax figure in political protest.
[1] Associated Press. (2025, June 4). Greenpeace activists return stolen Emmanuel Macron wax figure. NBC News. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/greenpeace-activists-return-stolen-emmanuel-macron-wax-figure-n1286556
[2] Reuters. (2025, June 4). Stolen Emmanuel Macron wax figure placed in front of Russian embassy in Paris. France 24. Retrieved from https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/2025-06-04-stolen-emmanuel-macron-wax-figure-placed-in-front-of-russian-embassy-in-paris
[3] AFP. (2025, June 4). Greenpeace activists return stolen Emmanuel Macron wax figure to Paris museum. Yahoo News. Retrieved from https://news.yahoo.com/greenpeace-activists-return-stolen-emmanuel-macron-wax-figure-paris-museum-165126881.html
[4] BBC News. (2025, June 4). Emmanuel Macron's wax figure returned by Greenpeace activists. BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57457165
- The Commission, in light of the recent event involving the theft and return of Emmanuel Macron's wax figure, might consider proposing a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionising radiation, given the potential use of such figures in political protests.
- As the debate over climate change and environmental science continues to grow, one might argue that the actions of Greenpeace activists, who returned Macron's wax figure with a protest message, could be a topic of discussion in general news and even political discourse.
- In the aftermath of the theft and return of Emmanuel Macron's wax figure, the incident could potentially be linked to crime and justice, as the authorities were involved in the recovery and investigation of the stolen figure, raising questions about security measures in place for such high-profile exhibits.
