As the holiday approached, the bitterness of a producer filed a complaint

Heliculturist (snail breeder) Bouzy (Marne), L’Escargot des grands crus, became a victim of theft, we learned about it Wednesday 26 November 2025. A complaint has been filed, even though December is a crucial time for snail sales (up to 60% of turnover).

Short message, but desire to move forward. This Wednesday, November 26 2025, we learned that the heliculturist L’Escargot des grands crus, based in Bouzy (Marne), near Épernay, was the victim of a major theft: almost 450 kilograms of snails.

On his professional Facebook page, the manager, Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne, whom France 3 Champagne-Ardenne had met to present his snail farm, wrote on Tuesday evening November 25 that “This wasn’t really the publication we thought we’d be writing for leading up to the holidays. We were the victims of a robbery, and our stock of fresh and frozen snails was stolen. The coming weeks are usually the most important for us… So this was a shock, a misunderstanding and a major blow for the entire team.”

Helicopter farmers will give it a try “reconstruct (his) share” to be able to fulfill its orders, which are large in the run-up to the year-end holidays, especially Christmas and New Year’s Eve (the company generates 60% of its annual turnover at the moment). He was able to supply the star restaurant des Crayères in Reims (Marne), but also restaurateurs, delicatessens and many other private customers.

The complaint was submitted to the gendarmerie at around 09.00 this Wednesday, November 26. Isabelle Forboteaux and Daniel Samulczyk, journalists at France 3 Champagne-Ardenne, were on the scene in the morning. The discovery of the theft occurred on Monday morning, November 24.

From the start of the investigation it was apparent that the fence surrounding the agricultural area had been cut, allowing the thieves to pass silently, forcing and visiting all the buildings. The shelves and refrigerators in his shop were nearly empty, as was his laboratory. The craftsman was robbed methodically.

Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne stated that “the shelves are full of snails: in jars, fresh, frozen”. Don’t forget other local products created by several colleagues. “Everything was full from the start of December and throughout the holiday period.”

“Most of the finished products were stolen from the store, and the stock of raw materials from my laboratory. That was my year-end stock; that was the house stock. We had just the right amount to get through the holidays in peace.” Therefore, the laboratory stock was not prepared or sold as is, raising questions. “It’s really snail meat, uncooked: the shell has to be cleaned and the snail butter prepared. You can’t eat it straight.”

“This professional merchandise is not resold to individuals.” The product is “rare”its preparation can only be carried out by artisans, invited restaurants to show vigilance and honesty. “We may be prompted to ask ourselves…” He had to call his customers to do it “take stock”and concerns that it will not be able to supply everyone’s needs by the end of 2025. His company is therefore at risk of major financial difficulties: the lost market value amounts to around 90,000 euros. “And it also has sentimental value: it is the fruit of a year of hard work.” (see flight location on map below).

“It puts people to work: seasonal workers and employees. It makes all the foodies smile during the holiday season. This is my pride: it’s what makes me set my alarm every morning.” Disappointment is present, but he will try to survive and get closer to his self-confidence. Against all odds.

Apart from flying (of course), snails are also afraid of bad weather conditions.