It is the story of a cursed jewel that was never worn by its queen, but which ultimately cost her her head. In 1785, “The Affair of the Queen’s Necklace” shook Versailles: a monumental swindle involving 650 diamonds (2,800 carats), orchestrated through forged letters, a gullible cardinal, and a fake queen recruited from the slums of Paris.
It is this fascinating interplay of lies and pretense that resonates today at the Théâtre de l’Alliance Française. The immersive experience The Jury Experience: Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man draws inspiration from this major historical thriller in a contemporary version, loosely based on this royal chaos.
28 August 2026 17:00 + more dates
A plot worthy of Netflix (long before Lupin)
While the Lupin series depicts the theft of this jewel from the Louvre, the historical reality is far darker. Originally, this astronomically valuable diamond “harness” was commissioned by Louis XV for his mistress, Madame du Barry. But the king died, leaving the jewelers on the brink of bankruptcy.
Marie Antoinette refuses to buy it? Never mind: an ambitious adventuress, Jeanne de la Motte, sets up a complete deception. She leads her lover, the fabulously wealthy Cardinal de Rohan, to believe that the queen secretly desires the jewel and urges him to buy it on her behalf, before vanishing into thin air with the treasure. The original necklace was never found.
From Versailles to Paris: Become a juror in a 20-million-euro crime case
It is precisely this psychology of crime and manipulation that you will have to confront. In this immersive thriller, unique to Paris, forget the powdered wigs: the scandal has been modernized. The diamond necklace is now worth $20 million and belongs to an international superstar, Lana Tonneti. In the dock? Her former chauffeur.
Your mission: As a juror for the evening, you step out of your role as a mere spectator. You examine the evidence, analyze the testimonies, and sort out the truth from the lies.
28 August 2026 17:00 + more dates
📅 Dates and times: To be selected when booking.
📍 Location: Théâtre de l’Alliance Française (101 Bd Raspail, 75006 Paris).
⏳ Duration: approximately 60 to 70 minutes.
Will you be able to deliver justice?
