CAGNES-SUR-MER, France — Two suspects broke into the Renoir Museum on the French Riviera early Tuesday, September 8, stealing four paintings before abandoning one during their escape, according to local authorities.
The remaining three paintings were still missing Tuesday morning, while police searched for the suspects. Cagnes-sur-Mer Mayor Bryan Masson estimated the total value of the targeted artworks at approximately €9 million.
How the Renoir Museum robbery unfolded
The museum’s security alarm was activated at 5:48 a.m. Police officers arrived at approximately 5:53 a.m., but the intruders had already escaped, the mayor said in a statement.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed two people inside the building cutting paintings from their frames. The suspects were later captured by municipal security cameras fleeing the area on foot.
Initial reports indicate that the intruders entered and exited through a damaged glass opening. Two zippered bags believed to be connected to the burglary were also reportedly discovered in the museum’s garden.
One of the four paintings was found along the suspects’ escape route. Authorities had not confirmed whether the recovered artwork was damaged or publicly identified the three paintings that remained missing.
The Grasse prosecutor’s office opened an investigation, according to French newspaper Le Parisien. Police are examining surveillance footage and evidence recovered from the museum grounds.
Masson described the robbery as an attack on an important part of the history and cultural heritage of Cagnes-sur-Mer. He said the incident reinforced the need for a broader security programme to protect the town’s museums and artworks.
The suspects’ escape also prompted sharp reactions on social media, with some users questioning how they managed to evade police despite dropping part of their haul.
“They dropped one while running.” Imagine being that sloppy and still getting away with millions. These museums need actual security, not just pretty gardens and hope.
Why the Renoir Museum is historically important
The Renoir Museum, also known as the Domaine des Collettes, occupies the final home of French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The artist lived at the estate during the final years of his life before his death in 1919.
Opened as a museum in 1960, the property contains original paintings, sculptures, photographs, archives and personal belongings associated with Renoir. Its collection also includes the artist’s easel, furniture and wheelchair.
The robbery follows several major thefts involving European cultural institutions. In France, questions about museum security intensified after the high-profile Louvre jewellery robbery. Read Swikblog’s earlier report on the Louvre heist investigation and missing jewels.
This is a developing story. The identities of the missing paintings and the suspects had not been publicly released when this report was published.
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