On November 24, 2023, a significant theft occurred at a renowned escargot farm, L’Escargot des Grands Crus, located in Bouzy, France. Thieves made off with nearly 1,000 pounds of escargot, valued at over $100,000, just in time for the holiday season when demand for this delicacy peaks. The culprits cut through a fence and broke into a storage building in the early hours, according to the farm’s owners.
The owners reported that the thieves systematically raided every shelf and freezer, stealing the farm’s entire stock of fresh and frozen snails, along with some petty cash. In a social media post, they expressed their dismay, stating, “It’s a real blow. We are trying our best to replenish our stocks to satisfy you for the holidays.”
According to Inès Dauvergne, a family member involved in the farm’s operations, the thieves likely have a background in the culinary world. “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,” she explained. The timing of the theft suggests the perpetrators understood the market and the significance of escargot during festive occasions such as Christmas and New Year’s.
Escargot is traditionally served as an appetizer, often prepared with garlic butter and wine, making it a popular dish during winter celebrations. The farm supplies high-end restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments like Le Parc and Les Crayères, located in the nearby city of Reims. In addition to its commercial operations, L’Escargot des Grands Crus also serves as a tourist attraction, offering tastings and lessons on mollusk cultivation.
As of now, local authorities have not identified any suspects in connection with the theft. The Dauvergne family, who are part of a community of several hundred snail farming families in France, is grappling with the implications of this massive loss. In France, approximately 37 million pounds of snails are consumed annually, highlighting the delicacy’s cultural significance.
This incident follows another high-profile theft in France, where thieves stole $100 million worth of crown jewels from the Louvre Museum on October 19, 2023. Six individuals have since been arrested in connection with that case, raising concerns about security for valuable cultural assets in the country.
As the holiday season approaches, the impact of this theft on the Dauvergne family and their business underscores the challenges faced by producers of traditional delicacies in an ever-evolving market.
