The two paintings by Renoir, which were dramatically stolen last month on the French Riviera have been retrieved, and six suspects have been arrested.
The artworks by the master painter, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, were stolen from the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer (between Cannes and Nice) in an early-morning raid almost exactly a month ago, on 8 September 2026.
Announcing the good news today (9 October), Cagnes-sur-Mer’s mayor Bryan Masson said it was a “moment of immense joy and true relief for Cagnes-sur-Mer.”
Which Renoir paintings were stolen (and now found)?
The Cagnes mayor posted an image identifying the retrieved paintings as Madame Colonna Romano, circa 1910 – oil on canvas, and Jeune femme au puits, circa 1886 – oil on wood.
The thieves had attempted to steal four paintings, but left two behind when they fled following an alarm going off. Those two paintings were Portrait de Madame Stephen Pichon, circa 1895 – oil on canvas, and Coco lisant, circa 1905 – a portrait of Renoir’s young son Claude, nicknamed Coco.
Who caught the criminals behind the heist?
The mayor congratulated the Marseille Specialized Interregional Jurisdiction (JIRS) and all the law enforcement officers involved, both National and Municipal Police, for their “remarkable work”.
“I would especially like to commend the investigators from the SIPJ 06 and the Central Office for the Fight Against Trafficking in Cultural Property, who conducted their inquiries with determination and discretion,” he said. SIPJ 06 refers to the Interdepartmental Criminal Investigation Service for the Côte d’Azur (06 postcode).
Cagnes’ mayor said: “These two paintings are not merely works of art; they are part of our city’s history, our heritage, and the legacy Auguste Renoir left to Cagnes-sur-Mer.”
The renowned artist spent the final 12 years of his life living at the Domaine des Collettes, the neo-Provençal home on the Collettes hill which is now the Renoir museum.
The French Impressionist moved to Cagnes-sur-Mer in 1907, in the hope that the warmer Riviera weather would ease his rheumatoid arthritis. Living at Les Collettes, surrounded by a peaceful olive grove, Renoir continued to paint until he passed away in 1919.
In 1960, Renoir’s final home was turned into a museum which preserves a record of the artist’s life on the Riviera. The collection includes 13 original Renoir paintings, about 40 sculptures, family photographs, furniture and some of his personal items, including his art easel and wheelchair.
The mayor said on social media this evening: “Today marks a happy new chapter for our museum and for all the people of Cagnes. Our heritage is precious. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect it!”
The museum is currently closed (as of 9 October 2026). Check for more details on the site here.
