French Farm Announces Theft of €90,000 Worth of Snails
Burglars made off with snails worth €90,000 from a farm in northern France that provides for high-end eateries.
L'Escargot Des Grands Crus in Bouzy, close to the city of Reims, stated that its entire inventory of both fresh and frozen snails was taken—a “real blow” just before the holiday season.
The thieves gained entry to the farm during the night leading to Monday, slicing through a perimeter fence before accessing storage facilities.
Law enforcement were notified days after the incident, and investigators are currently pursuing leads.
In the meantime, the business is striving to replenish its supplies to meet end-of-year orders from customers.
Escargot: A Traditional French Delicacy
Edible snails are considered a culinary specialty in France, typically cooked in garlic butter or white wine before being extracted from their shells.
Producers in France typically experience a increase in demand during December, as people indulge with the dish for Christmas and New Year's Day celebrations.
“This is certainly not the type of post we thought we’d write as the holidays approach,” L'Escargot Des Grands Crus stated in a message regarding the theft.
The statement went on to characterize the robbery as “surprising, an incomprehension, and a real blow to the entire staff,” adding, “We are trying our best to restock our supplies to satisfy our customers for the festive period.”
Consequences of the Theft
Images captured following the burglary show shelves and freezers nearly completely emptied of snail products.
“An entire section of prepared goods was stolen from the store, and unprocessed stock from my laboratory,” Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne explained.
“This represented my end-of-year stock… We had precisely enough to manage the holidays without any worries.”
This producer has previously supplied restaurants such as Michelin-starred venues in Reims, as well as delicatessens and private clients.
At present, the farm is working hard to bouncing back and making sure that end-of-year orders can still be fulfilled despite the significant setback.
