Overview
- The museum break-in took place on 8 September when two thieves sawed down the hangings of four canvases and fled with two oil paintings.
- Investigators located the two missing works hidden behind a false plasterboard wall in a garage in the Hérault area, with the discovery reported Friday 9 October.
- Police carried out coordinated arrests across Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Hérault and Doubs that led to six people being detained and placed in custody.
- A 29-year-old described by authorities as the principal suspect has been formally placed under investigation after DNA reportedly linked him to a covering used during the theft.
- The recovered paintings — 'Madame Colonna Romano' and 'Jeune femme au puits' owned by the Musée d'Orsay on long loan — were sent to Marseille for expert examination and the Musée Renoir remains closed while legal proceedings continue.