Thieves carried out a burglary at the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer on the French Riviera, as confirmed by the local mayor. The perpetrators managed to steal four valuable paintings from the museum but were forced to abandon two of them in the gardens as law enforcement, alerted by alarms, pursued them early Tuesday morning.
Mayor Bryan Masson expressed grave concern over the incident, emphasizing the significance of the Renoir Museum in preserving the history and heritage of Cagnes-sur-Mer. The stolen artworks, namely “Madame Colonna Romano” and “Young Woman at the Well,” are part of the renowned Musée d’Orsay in Paris and were on temporary display at the Renoir Museum.
The thieves attempted to take two additional paintings, “Madame Pichon” and “Coco Reading,” depicting Claude, the son of the famous Impressionist artist, but abandoned them in the gardens during the police chase. Authorities have launched an investigation into the organized theft.
Established in 1960 within the artist’s mansion where Renoir passed away in 1919, the museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer showcases a collection of 13 paintings by the master, along with around 40 sculptures, furniture, and photographs.
This incident follows a trend of escalating art thefts in Europe, with Europol highlighting a shift towards more violent and opportunistic crimes. The Louvre Museum heist in Paris in 2025, where €88 million worth of jewels were stolen, exemplifies this concerning trend.
Criticism has been directed at the French government for the security lapses in museums, with reports indicating a lack of resources and preparedness to safeguard valuable artworks. Mayor Masson, from the National Rally party, called for enhanced security measures to protect cultural treasures from such criminal activities.
A survey by the French Culture Ministry revealed deficiencies in emergency and risk prevention planning, with many institutions lacking adequate video surveillance. The incident underscores the urgent need for improved security protocols to safeguard museums and their precious collections.