🔗 Share this article French Farm Reports Robbery of €90,000 Value of Snails Burglars have stolen snails valued at €90,000 from a producer in the north of France that provides for high-end eateries. L'Escargot Des Grands Crus in Bouzy, close to the city of Reims, reported that its entire stock of both fresh and frozen snails was stolen—a “real blow” just before the festive period. The intruders broke into the property during the night leading to Monday, cutting a perimeter fence before accessing farm buildings. Law enforcement received a complaint days after the incident, and officers are now on the trail. Meanwhile, the business is striving to replenish its supplies to meet holiday orders from clients. Snails: A French Gourmet Treat Edible snails are regarded as a French delicacy, usually cooked in garlic butter or wine before being extracted from their shells. Farmers in France typically experience a surge in demand during the month of December, as consumers indulge with the specialty for Christmas and New Year's Day celebrations. “This is certainly not the kind of announcement we thought we’d share as the festive season near,” L'Escargot Des Grands Crus wrote in a statement regarding the incident. They continued to characterize the event as “surprising, bewildering, and a serious setback to the entire staff,” noting, “We are trying our best to replenish our supplies to meet the needs of our clients for the festive period.” Consequences of the Robbery Photos captured after the burglary show shelves and refrigerators almost cleared out of snail products. “A whole section of finished products was stolen from the warehouse, and unprocessed stock from my laboratory,” Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne explained. “It was my holiday season inventory… We had just the right amount to manage the holidays without any worries.” The farm has in the past provided restaurants such as Michelin-starred restaurants in Reims, as well as delicatessens and private clients. Currently, the business is working hard to bouncing back and making sure that end-of-year demand can still be fulfilled in spite of the significant setback.