Bank of France Completes Gold Repatriation from U.S., Gains $15 Billion
The Bank of France (BdF) has successfully repatriated the last of its gold reserves previously held in New York, replacing them with gold bars stored in its Paris vaults. This operation involved 129 tonnes of gold, which constituted about 5% of the bank's total holdings. The move is part of a long-term strategy that began in the 1960s to repatriate gold holdings following the U.S. termination of the Bretton Woods system. The BdF has been upgrading its gold reserves to meet modern international standards, opting to sell the older U.S.-held bars and purchase new bullion in Europe. This decision, according to BdF Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau, was not politically motivated but rather a strategic financial move. The repatriation and subsequent sale of gold have resulted in a capital gain of 13 billion euros ($15 billion), contributing to a net profit of 8.1 billion euros for the 2025 financial year. 
