France, stolen Renoir paintings found at the Cagnes-sur-Mer museum

The two paintings by the painter Auguste Renoir, 'Madame Colonna Romano' and 'Young Woman at the Well', stolen at the beginning of September from the museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France, have been found by the police.

The value of the two paintings was estimated between 8 and 10 million euros. The day before yesterday, six suspects, including two alleged robbers, were arrested as part of the investigation in the departments of Alpes-Maritimes, Hérault and Jura. The operations were conducted by the Search and Intervention Brigade (BRI) of Nice, together with the Judicial Police of Nice, which is following the investigation.

"These two paintings are not simply works of art. They are part of the history of our city, of our heritage," said Mayor Bryan Masson. “Knowing that they have been recovered is an immense relief,” he added. The two works were found yesterday in a garage and are apparently in good condition, according to the Nice Matin newspaper.

Theft

On September 8, two thieves entered the famous French painter's last home through an opening made in the garden fence. Within minutes they had stolen four works of art, before abandoning two during their escape.

The four works targeted by the thieves "were the four most precious paintings in the museum", the prosecutor's office stressed after the theft. The other two were 'Coco Lisant' and 'The Portrait of Madame Stephen Pichon'.