• Two thieves broke into the Renoir Museum, stealing four paintings valued at €9 million.
• Surveillance cameras had captured the thieves fleeing, abandoning one painting during their escape.
• The incident raises questions about the security of art in European museums, following previous high-profile heists.

On September 8, two individuals broke into the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France, stealing four works of art valued approximately at €9 million ($10 million). Local mayor Bryan Masson confirmed that the thieves were caught on surveillance cameras fleeing the scene, dropping one painting as they escaped. This museum, which celebrated Renoir's legacy, houses many of his works and personal items, and was opened in his last home before his death in 1919, according to Le Monde and South China Morning Post.

During the break-in, the museum's alarm activated at 5:48 a.m., prompting municipal police to arrive within five minutes. Despite a rapid response, the thieves managed to escape with three paintings, leaving behind one. Mayor Masson noted that this incident reflects a worrying trend of art theft and highlighted the necessity for improved security in museums, a sentiment echoed by Reuters and BBC News.

The recovered and missing paintings include valuable pieces such as “Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano" and "Jeune fille au puits." Mayor Masson remarked that such thefts attack not just the museum but the heritage of Cagnes-sur-Mer itself. He also pointed out that art thieves in Europe are becoming increasingly organized, according to information from Europol reported by Reuters and India Times.