Two valuable paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir remain missing after thieves broke into the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, on the French Riviera, during a dramatic early-morning raid on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.<\/p>\n
The two intruders initially stole four works of art by the famous French impressionist artist, according<\/a> to Cagnes-sur-Mer mayor Bryan Masson, but two pieces have already been recovered.<\/p>\n The mayor said an alarm went off at the museum at 05:48, and within five minutes municipal police were on the scene.<\/p>\n “Spotted thanks to the City’s CCTV cameras, the two individuals fled, abandoning one of the stolen paintings in their escape,” he said. Four hours later he updated that two paintings had been recovered.<\/p>\n He commended the “professionalism of the law enforcement\u00a0and investigators who are fully committed to recovering this invaluable heritage, so dear to the hearts of the people of Cagnes”.<\/p>\n The mayor also called on the State to “do its part to protect the heritage of the French people”. The mayor had already submitted a request for\u00a0enhanced security at the city’s museums and said that “this burglary only confirms the urgent need to accelerate this work”.<\/p>\n “Targeting the Renoir Museum means targeting a part of the history and heritage of Cagnes-sur-Mer,” Masson said, describing the incident as \u201cparticularly serious\u201d.<\/p>\n He ended his post on social media with the hashtag #HandsOffMyMuseum.<\/p>\n The perpetrators, who he said were “well-equipped and apparently well-informed” are being actively sought and the investigation is ongoing.<\/p>\n In August, another stolen Renoir painting was recovered<\/a> after having been stolen in Italy six months ago. A Matisse and Cezanne were also recovered.<\/p>\n Images online, taken from outside the museum, appear to show a hole cut into its perimeter fence. Once inside the property, French media reports suggest the thieves may have entered the building by breaking a window.<\/p>\n The stolen artworks have not yet been officially identified, but French and international media are reporting<\/a> it was the following four, with an alleged estimated total value of \u20ac9 million. It is not yet known which two still remain missing:<\/span><\/p>\n Set within a peaceful olive grove on the Domaine des Collettes, the museum occupies the elegant neo-Proven\u00e7al home where Pierre-Auguste Renoir spent the final 12 years of his life.<\/p>\n The celebrated French Impressionist moved to Cagnes-sur-Mer in 1907, hoping that the Riviera\u2019s warmer climate would ease the rheumatoid arthritis from which he suffered, according<\/a> to the museum. He continued painting at Les Collettes until his death in 1919.<\/p>\n Opened as a museum in 1960, the property preserves an intimate record of the artist\u2019s life on the C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur. Its collection (usually) includes 13 original Renoir paintings, around 40 sculptures, family photographs, furniture and personal possessions, including his easel and wheelchair.<\/p>\n On the museum’s website, it says it is currently closed but will be opening at 10am tomorrow. Please check before visiting.<\/p>\nEnhanced security required – #HandsOffMyMuseum<\/h2>\n
How did thieves break into the Renoir museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer?<\/h2>\n
Which Renoir paintings were stolen from the Renoir museum?<\/h2>\n
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Renoir Museum was the French artist’s final home<\/h2>\n
WATCH VIDEO: Renoir Museum pieces<\/h2>\n