A significant theft occurred on November 24, 2023, when thieves targeted the renowned escargot farm, L’Escargot des Grands Crus, located in Bouzy, France. The criminals made away with nearly 1,000 pounds of fresh and frozen snails, valued at over $100,000, just as the holiday season approaches—a time when the delicacy is in high demand.
According to the owners, the bandits cut through a fence to gain access to the property during the early hours of the morning. They raided the farm’s storage facilities, stealing the entire stock of snails along with some petty cash. The owners expressed their dismay in a Facebook post, stating, “It’s a real blow. We are trying our best to replenish our stocks to satisfy you for the holidays.”
The family running the farm, including Inès Dauvergne, suspects that the culprits were likely experienced in the food industry. She commented, “We think they were people who know—a connoisseur or professional—to be able to steal one year’s worth of stock at just this time.” This insight suggests that the thieves may have timed their heist strategically, given the culinary significance of escargot during festive occasions.
Escargot is particularly popular in both the United States and France during the winter holiday season. It is often served as an appetizer, typically prepared with garlic butter and wine, at Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. The farm supplies high-end restaurants, including Michelin-star establishments such as Le Parc and Les Crayères in nearby Reims.
The impact of this theft is significant, not only for the Dauvergne family but also for the broader community of snail farming in France. The country consumes approximately 37 million pounds of snails annually, making it a vital part of both local cuisine and the economy. The police have yet to identify any suspects in this theft, leaving the farmers grappling with the substantial loss.
This incident follows another high-profile theft in France, where thieves stole $100 million worth of crown jewels from the Louvre museum in October 2023. That heist resulted in the arrest of six individuals involved in the daring break-in.
As the holiday season approaches, the theft at L’Escargot des Grands Crus highlights the vulnerabilities faced by local businesses in the culinary sector and raises concerns about security measures at such valuable establishments.
