Wax Statue of Emmanuel Macron Returns to Grévin Museum After Greenpeace Action
The statue, briefly taken by activists, reappears following a protest highlighting economic ties with Russia.
The wax statue of French President Emmanuel Macron, recently taken by Greenpeace activists, has returned to the Grévin Museum in Paris after a short-lived protest.
The statue was reported missing on June 3, 2025, when a group of activists, disguised as maintenance workers, seized it from the museum.
Their action aimed to draw attention to the ongoing economic links between France and Russia in light of the conflict in Ukraine.
Following its unexpected removal, the statue was relocated to the Russian embassy in Paris as part of Greenpeace's demonstration.
The protest highlighted perceived contradictions in French foreign policy regarding Russia amid the ongoing war.
Later, on the evening of June 4, the activists returned the statue to the headquarters of EDF, the French nuclear energy company, along with a sign that read "Poutine-Macron Alliés radioactifs."
Jean-François Julliard, the general director of Greenpeace France, stated, "We have come to return the statue of Emmanuel Macron because as we promised from the very start, it is a loan." The police accompanied the return of the statue to ensure its security as it was transported in a protective case.
The Grévin Museum, which had previously filed a police report regarding the statue's removal, later acknowledged the incident with a humorous tone on its social media account, suggesting that all interactions with the figures in the museum were to be conducted on-site only.
The museum confirmed that the statue was undamaged and returned to its exhibit on June 4, 2025.
The statue was reported missing on June 3, 2025, when a group of activists, disguised as maintenance workers, seized it from the museum.
Their action aimed to draw attention to the ongoing economic links between France and Russia in light of the conflict in Ukraine.
Following its unexpected removal, the statue was relocated to the Russian embassy in Paris as part of Greenpeace's demonstration.
The protest highlighted perceived contradictions in French foreign policy regarding Russia amid the ongoing war.
Later, on the evening of June 4, the activists returned the statue to the headquarters of EDF, the French nuclear energy company, along with a sign that read "Poutine-Macron Alliés radioactifs."
Jean-François Julliard, the general director of Greenpeace France, stated, "We have come to return the statue of Emmanuel Macron because as we promised from the very start, it is a loan." The police accompanied the return of the statue to ensure its security as it was transported in a protective case.
The Grévin Museum, which had previously filed a police report regarding the statue's removal, later acknowledged the incident with a humorous tone on its social media account, suggesting that all interactions with the figures in the museum were to be conducted on-site only.
The museum confirmed that the statue was undamaged and returned to its exhibit on June 4, 2025.
