Two stolen Renoir paintings have been recovered in France. Six suspects have been arrested, the local mayor said on Friday.

The paintings are “Madame Colonna Romano” and “Young Woman at the Well”. They were stolen from the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer on September 8.

Thieves cut a hole in the garden fence and entered through a window. They took four paintings but dropped two in the garden as police arrived. The whole theft took less than three minutes.

The two recovered works belong to the Orsay Museum in Paris. They were on loan. The mayor, Bryan Masson, called the news a great relief. He has called a press conference.

The Marseille prosecutor’s office is handling the case. Reports say the suspects may be linked to an organised gang.

The theft recalled last year’s Louvre crown jewels heist. It has raised fresh questions about museum security in EuropeThe museum plans to reopen the recovered works to visitors soon. Security has been tightened across the premises.