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Burglars made off with escargot worth €90,000 from a producer in northern France that supplies gourmet restaurants.

L'Escargot Des Grands Crus in the Bouzy area, close to the city of Reims, reported that its complete inventory of both fresh and frozen snails was stolen—a “major setback” just ahead of the holiday season.

The intruders broke into the farm during the night leading to Monday, cutting a perimeter fence before entering storage facilities.

Police received a complaint later in the week, and officers are now on the trail.

Meanwhile, the business is working to restock to satisfy holiday orders from clients.

Escargot: A French Gourmet Treat

Escargot are considered a French delicacy, typically cooked in garlic butter or white wine before being removed from their shells.

Producers in France often see a increase in demand during December, as consumers treat themselves with the dish for Christmas Eve and New Year's Day celebrations.

“This is definitely not the kind of post we expected we’d share as the holidays approach,” L'Escargot Des Grands Crus stated in a statement announcing the theft.

The statement went on to characterize the event as “surprising, an incomprehension, and a real blow to the entire staff,” adding, “We are trying our best to replenish our supplies to meet the needs of our clients for the holidays.”

Consequences of the Robbery

Photos captured after the theft show shelves and freezers nearly cleared out of snail products.

“A whole section of prepared goods was stolen from the store, and unprocessed inventory from my laboratory,” Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne commented.

“It was my holiday season inventory… We had just the right amount to manage the holidays without any concerns.”

This producer has previously supplied restaurants including award-winning restaurants in Reims, as well as specialty food shops and individual customers.

Currently, the business is focused on bouncing back and ensuring that holiday orders can still be met despite the major setback.