Snails Stolen from French Farm

In an unprecedented incident that has sent shockwaves through France's gourmet food industry, L'Escargot Des Grands Crus, a prestigious snail farm located in Bouzy near Reims, has fallen victim to a brazen theft. The perpetrators absconded with the farm's entire inventory of fresh and frozen snails, amounting to a staggering €90,000 (£79,000; $104,000) in value. This audacious heist has not only inflicted significant financial damage but has also jeopardized the farm's ability to meet the surge in demand during the impending holiday season.

The clandestine operation was executed with precision, as the thieves breached the farm's security by cutting through a border fence before infiltrating the farm buildings. The full extent of the loss was only realized later in the week, prompting a formal complaint to be filed with local law enforcement. Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne, the farm's manager, lamented the comprehensive nature of the theft, which encompassed both finished products and raw materials from his laboratory.

This incident has cast a pall over the farm's operations, particularly given its esteemed clientele, which includes the Michelin-starred Les Crayères in Reims, as well as high-end delicatessens and discerning private customers. The timing of the theft couldn't be more inopportune, as it coincides with the period when the consumption of escargot, a quintessential French delicacy, traditionally peaks during Christmas and New Year celebrations.