Two paintings by the renowned Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir have been recovered after being stolen from a museum in southern France. According to prosecutors, the artworks sustained minor damage. In September, thieves targeted the Cagnes-sur-Mer museum, successfully taking two Renoir paintings. The total worth of the four paintings, including two left behind, was estimated at $10 million.
The stolen paintings, ‘Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano’ and ‘Young Woman at the Well,’ were found hidden behind a wall. Authorities revealed their discovery on Friday following an investigation in Clermont-l’Herault, a town in the south of France. Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone stated that the paintings were recovered last Thursday during a home search. The discovery followed the arrest of six suspects, including a woman. The stolen artworks were concealed behind a solid wall, rendering them undetectable. Bessone noted that investigative work led to a confession from the receiver, admitting possession of the stolen paintings.
The paintings are currently displayed at the Interdisciplinary Centre for the Conservation and Restoration of Heritage in Marseille. ‘Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano’ and ‘Young Woman at the Well’ exhibit signs of damage. The frame of ‘Young Woman at the Well’ is slightly damaged, while ‘Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano’ has a tear on the dress depicted in the portrait. Restoration work will be necessary to preserve both pieces.
A 29-year-old male suspect, identified as the main culprit, has been charged after DNA evidence linked him to the theft. Bessone spoke alongside France’s national judicial police head, Christian Sainte, confirming the relatively good condition of the paintings despite the damage.
Culmination of Efficient Investigation
Culture Minister Catherine Pegard commended the swift recovery of the stolen artworks, praising the dedication of those involved. The culture ministry highlighted the commitment leading to the rapid retrieval.
There has been a wave of heists targeting French museums. The Louvre experienced a major theft last year involving crown jewels worth approximately $100 million. Although suspects were arrested, most jewels remain missing except for a crown abandoned during the heist. Other museums have faced similar thefts recently. In July, burglary occurred at the Lalique museum, with millions in jewelry stolen. In October 2025, a woman was charged with stealing gold from the Natural History Museum in Paris. Further incidents include the theft of valued porcelain works from the Adrien Dubouche National Museum in Limoges.
The string of thefts has raised concerns about the security measures in place at French museums, suggesting potential vulnerabilities exploited by criminal gangs.
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