Hampered by debt and implicated in trafficking of stolen jewels, he commits suicide, leaving his wife Marianne to pick up the pieces.

Marianne, who has spent the last few years in and out of a clinic recovering from alcoholism, discovers a set of perfect cut diamonds in her husband's safe.

[3] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 74 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "Generally favorable reviews".

[4] In the New York Times, David Kehr wrote, "despite its many flaws, the film never loses its focus on its fascinating central figure.

"[5] Lisa Nesselson of the Variety Magazine said that the film is "an elaborate and elegant suspenser that gives Catherine Deneuve plenty of leeway to act up a storm, "Place Vendome" features coveted gemstones, the no-nonsense factions that want them and a woman's revised take on her own destiny, played out against luxurious backdrops".