Renoir Museum robbery: Three paintings missing

Police are on the hunt for thieves who stole three paintings from the Renoir Museum on the French Riviera in an overnight heist. A fourth stolen work was abandoned as they fled.

Two thieves have stolen three paintings from the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer on the French Riviera after breaking into the building early on Tuesday, the town's mayor said.

The heist follows a series of high-profile art and cultural-property thefts in Europe.

What happened at the Renoir Museum?

The thieves initially took four artworks, valued together at around €9 million ($10.5 million), but abandoned one as they fled.

The thieves broke into the museum shortly before 6 a.m., Mayor Bryan Masson said.

They were detected with the help of the town's video surveillance system. Police gave chase, but the pair escaped.

"During their flight, they abandoned one of the stolen paintings," Masson said.

Authorities did not immediately identify the three works that remained missing.

The museum occupies the former home and studio of French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, who spent the final years of his life in Cagnes-sur-Mer. The property is surrounded by gardens and olive trees.

This is a developing story that will be updated...