French authorities are searching for two suspects after four artworks were stolen from the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer on the French Riviera early on Tuesday morning. One of the stolen works was recovered after being abandoned during the suspects' escape, while three remain missing.
According to local officials, the artworks taken from the museum are estimated to be worth around €9 million.
Burglary reported before dawn
Mayor Bryan Masson said the burglars broke into the museum shortly before 6 a.m. local time.
The museum alarm was triggered at 05:48, and municipal police arrived at the scene five minutes later, at 05:53, according to the mayor.
The suspects were identified through the city's surveillance camera system, and police launched a pursuit shortly afterwards.
One artwork recovered during escape
Masson said the two suspects managed to evade capture but abandoned one of the stolen paintings while fleeing.
The remaining three artworks have not yet been recovered.
The mayor described the incident as a serious attack on the city's heritage and cultural history.
Museum dedicated to Pierre-Auguste Renoir
The Renoir Museum is located in Cagnes-sur-Mer, near Nice, in the final residence of Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919).
Established as a museum in 1960, the site houses original furnishings, personal belongings, furniture used by the artist, including his easel and wheelchair, as well as portraits, landscapes and other works associated with Renoir.
Investigation under way
The theft occurred almost a year after a high-profile break-in at the Louvre Museum in Paris, according to the report.
Police investigations into the burglary and the whereabouts of the missing artworks are continuing.
