Renoir Paintings Recovered After Theft in France

Two paintings by renowned French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir have been recovered in France, one month after they were stolen from a museum in the south of the country. The announcement was made by the mayor of Cagnes-sur-Mer, Bryan Masson, on Friday.

Last month, thieves successfully broke into the Cagnes-sur-Mer museum, stealing two of Renoir’s masterpieces while leaving two others behind. Mayor Masson emphasized the significance of the artworks to the local community, stating, “These two paintings are not simply works of art. They are part of our city’s history.” He expressed immense relief at their recovery.

There has been no official statement from the police regarding the recovery. The Musee Renoir was targeted during an early-morning break-in on September 8, 2026. The perpetrators reportedly cut through a fence to access the museum’s premises, smashed a window, and used an electric saw to remove the paintings from their frames.

According to a source close to the investigation, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft. The Renoir Museum is situated a short drive from Nice and was the artist’s final residence before his death at the age of 78 in 1919.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern of art thefts in France. Recent events include the brazen daylight robbery of crown jewels worth approximately $100 million from the Louvre in Paris last year.