France has been hit by yet another unusual theft, just days after the Louvre museum robbery! This time, the target wasn’t some priceless art but a shipment of fresh and frozen snails valued at 90,000 euros (₹93 lakh) that were, reportedly, meant for high-end and Michelin-star restaurants. The bizarre snail theft in France has left authorities puzzled as they investigate how thieves managed to pull off the gourmet grab.
Snails Bound For Michelin-Star Kitchens Stolen
According to NDTV, almost 450 kg of French snails were stolen from a farm in L’Escargot des Grands. The fresh and frozen snails were worth a whopping ₹93 lakh, and as per producer Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne, the snail theft took place between Sunday night and Monday morning in the Champagne region of France.
Keeping the high volume of snails stolen, authorities believe that multiple people may have been involved in the theft. Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne took to Facebook to share details of the snail theft. According to the post, the thieves “cut the fence, broke down the door with a crowbar, and smashed the light detectors” of the farm.
“It’s very surprising because they stole raw materials: 450 kg of snail meat. It’s incredible to have stolen such a quantity. It must be the work of a very organised network,” he added in the post. Furthermore, he explained that the snails were enough to make 10,000 meals and were worth 90,000 euros.
Also Read: Paris: After Theft, Louvre To Hike Non-European Visitor Fees By 45% To Fund Security & Repairs
All You Need To Know About This Snail Theft In France
According to the post, the shipment was bound for Christmas service at elite restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Domaine les Crayères in Reims. There, the snails are transformed into one of the restaurant’s iconic puff-pastry dishes. Dauvergne has turned to other suppliers to fill orders, but his farm’s reputation is so respected that some restaurants said they’d rather remove the dish altogether than serve a substitute.
The Chambers of Agriculture have revealed that the French consume about 14,300 tonnes of snails in a year. However, about 95% of them are imported.
Also Read: France Reports 40% Surge In Indian Tourists After Launch Of UPI In 2024; Here’s Why
What are your thoughts about this bizarre heist? Let us know in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: Pexels
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