Police in France are searching for two suspects who broke into the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer on the French Riviera early Tuesday, making off with three valuable paintings. The incident marks another high-profile theft of cultural property in Europe.
Municipal Mayor Bryan Masson confirmed that the intruders entered the museum shortly before 6 a.m. They were spotted by the town’s surveillance cameras, prompting police to pursue the pair, who ultimately evaded capture.
The thieves initially absconded with four artworks, which authorities estimate are collectively worth approximately €9 million ($10.5 million). However, Masson noted that the suspects discarded one of the pieces while fleeing the scene.
As of the latest reports, law enforcement has not released the identities of the three remaining missing works.
The museum is situated in Villa Les Collettes, the former home and studio of the Impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir, who spent his final years in the area. The historic property is nestled among gardens and olive groves.
€9 million for three canvases! It feels like we’re entering an era where art theft is purely transactional.
I wonder if the discarded painting was damaged or just too heavy to carry. Hope it was retrieved intact by police.
Only three paintings remain missing? That’s a 75% recovery rate, which is oddly optimistic for a heist of this caliber.