Four Renoir masterpieces stolen in French museum heist

Tue Sep 08 2026 16:26:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Four Renoir paintings worth 9 million euros each vanished from the Musée Renoir in Cagnes‑sur‑Mer after an armed break‑in. Two pieces were recovered, two remain missing.

An early‑morning robbery at France’s Musée Renoir saw four of Pierre‑Auguste Renoir’s masterpieces stolen; each worth 9 million euros. The thieves abandoned two works in the museum gardens, which were recovered, while the other two remain missing. CCTV footage documents the burglars cutting through the fence, dismantling frames, and carrying hunting gear. Police responded within minutes of the alarm and have secured evidence, including zip‑up bags potentially linked to the suspects. The incident reinforces worries over European museums’ security amid a recent surge of art‑crime, prompting calls for increased state support for local heritage sites.

Four Renoir masterpieces stolen in French museum heist

Four brightly valued works of the famed Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir have vanished from the Musée Renoir in Cagnes‑sur‑Mer after a midnight break‑in. Each painting, valued at 9 million euros (about 10.4 million USD), was taken from the museum by a pair of armed thieves who left two pieces in the gardens while escaping.

Two Renoir paintings in gold frames — Jeune fille au puits and Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano are still missing

The two recovered works, Portrait of Madame Pichon (1895) and Coco Lisant (1905), were found hours later in the museum grounds close to the security fence. The remaining two – Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano (1910) and Jeune fille au puits (1886) – are still missing.

Mayor Bryan Masson described the robbery as “an assault on the heritage of Cagnes‑sur‑Mer.” CCTV footage shows the burglars cutting through the perimeter fence and dismantling the frames that hold the paintings. They wore helmets, gloves and combat gear, and carried a hacksaw and an electric knife.

Police arrived within five minutes after the alarm triggered at 05:48 local time. Masson said the thieves appeared “well‑equipped and well‑informed,” and investigators recovered two zip‑up bags that may belong to the suspects.

The museum, which houses 12 of Renoir’s works and his former home, has been a target of increasing art‑crime. The incident follows this year’s string of European heists, including an earlier theft of four Renaissance paintings in Sicily.

Masson has urged the national government to boost financial support for local museums, warning that “organized crime is making art theft faster and more dangerous.” The case has reignited calls for tighter security and greater protective investments across Europe.