Thieves take €90,000 of snails meant for Michelin-starred restaurants

French Police Hunt Snail Thieves

French police are investigating a theft that left one of the country’s top snail suppliers without a year’s worth of produce. The crime occurred at the Burgundy-based farm L’Escargot des Grands Champs, owned by Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne, which supplies snails to several Michelin-starred restaurants.

A Costly Heist

Dauvergne reported that thieves broke into his facilities and stole an estimated €90,000 worth of snails, roughly representing the farm’s entire annual output. Authorities believe the culprits are experienced criminals, given the logistics required to transport such a large and delicate quantity of live snails without being noticed.

“They knew exactly what they were doing,” Dauvergne told local media. “It’s not something amateurs could pull off overnight.”

The theft took place overnight earlier this month, with the burglars carefully removing crates of live snails from storage areas. The loss represents not just the value of the snails but also the extensive work involved in breeding and maintaining them over the year.

Impact on Culinary Partners

L’Escargot des Grands Champs has built a reputation for high-quality escargots, served in some of France’s best restaurants. The theft threatens to disrupt supply chains for fine dining establishments preparing for the busy winter season. Dauvergne expressed deep frustration, explaining that such an incident could take years to recover from.

Investigation and Reactions

Police in Saône-et-Loire have launched an investigation, focusing on networks involved in the illegal food trade. Similar thefts in rural France have targeted high-value niche products such as truffles, cheeses, and fine wines.

While the theft of snails may sound unusual, authorities warn that the black market for premium French culinary ingredients remains lucrative. The investigation continues, but no arrests have been made yet.

Author’s summary: Skilled thieves stole €90,000 worth of Burgundy snails from a farm supplying Michelin restaurants, crippling its yearly production and prompting a police investigation.

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The Times The Times — 2025-11-28

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