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Two wealthy British women had their holiday turn into a nightmare when a burglar ransacked their room in a luxury Saint-Tropez hotel and stole 11 Birkin bags, jewellery and cash worth 1 million euros (£867,000), according to French media.
The same hotel, which was not named in the report, has been plagued with several break-ins this summer, where moneyed guests have lost thousands of pounds in cash and prized possessions.
The pair were said to arrive at the hotel in the coastal town on the French Riviera at around 5 pm on August 5 before going on a stroll at 8 pm until around midnight, a report quoting a friend of the tourists said.
‘When they returned, the room was ransacked, the door to the private terrace broken, the wall safe ripped out,’ their friend, Sabrina, said.
‘They don’t even have their passports anymore. It’s a vacation that’s turning into a nightmare.’
It is understood that a complaint about the incident was filed to authorities on Wednesday.
Following the raid, the women approached the hotel security, who reportedly did not detect an intruder.
‘As luck would have it, no one heard anything. My friends contacted the owner, who pretended to be a victim,’ Sabrina said.
During the raid the thieves reportedly took 11 Hermès Birkin bags, Patek Philippe watches, Dior luggage, Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery, and Cartier pieces including an engagement ring, Var Matin reports.
Around €15,000 (£13,000) was also stolen alongside bank cards.
The total amount lost is thought to be close to 1 million euros (£867,000).
The women are reportedly shocked that the luxury hotel did not have better security and are now on their way back home after a disappointing holiday.
‘Hotels that claim to be 5-star should have a more developed security system,’ their spokesperson said. ‘It’s a shame. It tarnishes the image of France and the village of Saint-Tropez.’
This is not the first time the hotel in southeastern France has been burgalled this summer, leading to tourists losing thousands of pounds worth of luxury belongings, report Var Matin.
In a separate incident in early July, a Brazillian tourist’s first trip to Saint-Tropez ended in disaster when two luxury watches worth €74,000 (£64,000) and €46,000 (£39,000) as well as €3,000 (£2600) in cash were reportedly stolen from his room.
The tourist was enjoying a workout and then a breakfast at the hotel when the intruders ransacked his room, it is claimed.
He complained that the hotel was taking a lengthy amount of time in giving him compensation after he made an insurance claim.
A hotel employee was questioned in relation to the case but was later released.
Around the same time, another visitor reportedly had two watches and €800 (£690) stolen from his residence.
Two hotel employees have reportedly been summoned to appear before court on September 10 in relation to the case.
