Here is the mayor of Cagnes-sur-Mer, Bryan Masson's statement in full, translated from French:

"This morning, two individuals broke into the Renoir Museum and stole four works of art.

"The museum's alarm was triggered at 5:48 a.m. At 5:53 a.m, just five minutes later, our municipal police were on the scene.

"Identified by the city's CCTV cameras, the two individuals fled, abandoning one of the stolen paintings.

"Since this morning, both the municipal and national police have been deployed to the site.

"The perpetrators are being actively sought, and the investigation is ongoing.

"Attacking the Renoir Museum is attacking a part of the history and heritage of #CagnesSurMer. These events are particularly serious.

"They also confirm the urgent need to implement the comprehensive plan to secure our museums and protect our works of art, a plan to which I have committed.

"We will dedicate all necessary resources to better protect this heritage, which belongs to all the residents of Cagnes."

Two thieves have broken into an museum dedicated to French impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, stealing four works of art - including one which they dropped as they fled.

The mayor of Cagnes-sur-Mer, located in the south of France, says the estimated value of the stolen works is 9 million euros ($10 million), according to the AFP news agency.

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