Tourists lose €1m in home invasion at Nice rental villa

A group of tourists renting a luxury villa in the hills above Nice were violently robbed in the early hours of Friday morning in what police are describing as a textbook home invasion.

Four masked and armed intruders broke into the remote property in Alpes-Maritimes shortly before 05:30 on May 30 while the guests - four tourists from the Gulf, at least two of whom are believed to be Dubai residents - were still asleep.

One of the guests reportedly awoke during the break-in and was sprayed with tear gas. 

The thieves then escaped with a range of high-end items, including luxury handbags, jewellery and watches, worth an estimated €1million, according to newspaper Nice-Matin.

The villa, which is located in a secluded, upmarket neighbourhood on the Route d’Aspremont, is thought to be a highly visible target due to its strikingly modern boat-shaped design along with being reportedly the only rental property available in the vicinity.

An investigation for armed robbery by an organised gang has been opened by the interdepartmental judicial police service in the Alpes-Maritimes.

Authorities have not said whether the victims were specifically targeted.

Read more: Are second homes in France more at risk of 'home-jacking'?

‘Home-jackings

Home invasions, or ‘home-jackings’ as they are known in France, occur when thieves break into a property while residents are present - often using threats or violence to ensure compliance. 

Read more: Home invasions: French police advise how to stay safe

Police say this kind of robbery is increasing, particularly in wealthy tourist hotspots.

“This type of break-in usually happens at dawn, when people are most vulnerable,” Laurent Martin de Frémont of the Un1té police union told France 3. “We are seeing a growing number of these attacks along the Riviera, especially during the summer when wealthy visitors are more likely to be in the area.”

Laurent Alcaraz, Alpes-Maritimes delegate for the Alliance Police Nationale union, told TF1 that cases had risen by around 8% in the past year: “The influx of tourists and wealthy visitors increases the risk in highly visited departments.”