Thieves swipe $14.5 million of paintings from French museum
Updated . First published at
Two thieves have stolen four valuable Renoir paintings in a pre-dawn heist at a museum on the French Riviera, but were forced to abandon two as they escaped.
The pair broke into the museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer shortly before 6am on Tuesday (2pm AEST) and stole four paintings, Mayor Bryan Masson said.
Coco Lisant. Renoir Museum
“Attacking the Renoir museum is attacking a part of the history and heritage of Cagnes-sur-Mer,” Masson said in a Facebook post.
“These actions are particularly serious.”
He estimated the value of the stolen works at €9 million ($14.5 million).
The stolen works included Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano, Coco Lisant and Young Girl at the Well.
The museum was closed on Tuesday while the investigation unfolded.
The mayor called for greater security measures for museums in France.
The theft came after the spectacular heist of crown jewels at the Louvre Museum in Paris last year.
Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano. Renoir Museum
The Renoir Museum sits on the hillside in Cagnes-sur-Mer, where Pierre-Auguste Renoir lived until his death in 1919.
Opened in 1960 at the impressionist painter’s former home, it houses 13 original paintings, along with roughly 40 sculptures, original furniture, and historical photos.
- with Reuters and Associated Press
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
