Four Renoir paintings worth millions stolen in French museum heist

What the report says

Four paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir were stolen from the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, in southern France, in an early-morning break-in reported by BBC World News. According to the museum’s mayor, Bryan Masson, two thieves cut through a fence and entered the gardens before forcing open the display structures holding the artworks. The museum alarm sounded at 05:48 local time, and police arrived within minutes, prompting the suspects to flee.

Two of the works were dropped during the escape and later recovered from the museum grounds, while two others remain missing. BBC reported that the stolen pieces included Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano and Jeune fille au puits, while the recovered paintings were Portrait of Madame Pichon and Coco Lisant. The mayor said the pair appeared to be well prepared, describing them as wearing protective gear and carrying tools used to cut and remove the paintings.

The museum said each work is valued at about €9 million, though experts often stress that art stolen in this way is difficult to sell openly and can be damaged or broken up. The Renoir Museum, which opened in 1960 at the painter’s former home, holds 12 of his works along with personal items. The theft has renewed concern about museum security in Europe after several recent high-profile art and treasure heists.