Cagnes-sur-mer: Three paintings with an estimated value of £9 million ($10.5 million) were stolen from the Auguste Renoir Museum in southern France during an overnight burglary, local media reported Tuesday. Two thieves broke into the museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, near Nice, overnight from Monday to Tuesday, French broadcaster BFM Nice Cote d'Azur reported, citing a police source.

According to Anadolu Agency, surveillance footage showed two people entering the former residence of French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir and taking four works, as noted by Mayor Bryan Masson. 'They fled, abandoning one of the stolen paintings during their escape. The perpetrators are currently being actively sought,' Masson said.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed the suspects cutting paintings from their frames before a security alarm was triggered at 5.48 am local time (0348GMT). Initial reports indicated that the thieves entered the building by smashing a glass door and cut paintings from their frames. Investigators also found two zippered bags in the museum garden that may have belonged to the suspects.

The judicial police have taken over the investigation, while the museum has been closed to the public until further notice. The Sub-Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Specialized Delinquency is leading the investigation. Housed at Les Collettes, the final residence of French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the museum holds around 10 original paintings by the artist and approximately 40 sculptures, as well as his furniture, personal belongings, photographs, and archives.