Picasso, Rousseau paintings among about 30 works stolen from private collection in France

Picasso, Rousseau paintings stolen in France

MARSEILLE, France — Police say about 30 works of art, including paintings by Pablo Picasso and Henri Rousseau, have been stolen from the home of a private collector in the southern French region of Provence.

The theft was carried out while the owner was on vacation abroad, and was discovered by a caretaker. A police official spoke on condition of anonymity because of department policy, said the value of the missing art is still unclear.

The owners were returning home Saturday and were preparing to carry out an inventory.

An investigation is being carried out by officials in nearby Marseilles as well as by France’s Central Office for the Fight against Traffic in Cultural Goods.