Thieves have stolen escargot valued at ninety thousand euros from a producer in northern France that provides for gourmet restaurants.
The snail farm in the Bouzy area, near the city of Reims, stated that its complete inventory of both fresh and frozen snails was stolen—a “major setback” just ahead of the festive period.
The intruders broke into the property overnight into Monday, cutting a border fence before accessing storage facilities.
Law enforcement received a complaint later in the week, and investigators are now on the trail.
Meanwhile, the business is striving to restock to satisfy holiday demand from customers.
Snails: A Traditional French Delicacy
Edible snails are regarded as a French delicacy, typically cooked in garlic butter or white wine before being removed from their shells.
Producers in France typically experience a surge in sales during December, as consumers treat themselves with the dish for Christmas Eve and New Year's Day festivities.
“This is certainly not the kind of post we thought we’d write as the festive season near,” L'Escargot Des Grands Crus stated in a message announcing the theft.
They continued to characterize the robbery as “surprising, an incomprehension, and a real blow to the entire staff,” adding, “We are trying our best to replenish our inventory to satisfy our customers for the holidays.”
Consequences of the Theft
Photos taken after the burglary reveal racks and freezers nearly completely emptied of snail products.
“A whole section of prepared goods was taken from the store, and raw material inventory from my laboratory,” Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne explained.
“This represented my end-of-year stock… We had just the right amount to manage the festive season without any worries.”
The farm has in the past provided establishments such as Michelin-starred restaurants in Reims, as well as delicatessens and private clients.
At present, the farm is focused on bouncing back and ensuring that end-of-year orders can still be fulfilled in spite of the significant loss.
