Many historians questioned the profitability of offices in France during the Ancien Regime. However, for the 16th century the sources are rather scarce and difficult to find. This article examines the inventory of receipts issued by a royal financial administration [parties casuelles] in 1578 for the payment of a sum necessary to acquire a royal office. A part of these receipts contains the amount of the wages of the provided offices : this data allows the author to calculate the approximate profitability of the offices. The results are surprising : the majority of offices are extremely profitable, what raises the question of the long-term solvency of the crown.