More than half a million euros in cash have been discovered in a suitcase in a locked cellar beneath an apartment in Paris, which is now being investigated by the police. The apartment was being sold by a woman, who had recently inherited it from her mother.

“We have not finished counting. But there is between 500,000 and 600,000 euros ($585,000 and $702,000)” in denominations of 50, 100 and 500 euros, a source close to a criminal investigation opened into the windfall told AFP on Wednesday.

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According to the Parisien newspaper, the 50-year-old owner approached a real estate agent for a valuation of the property. When the agent arrived to inspect the cellar, they found it locked.

After failing to open the door, the owner called a locksmith. When the estate agent returned to examine the space, they came upon the cash-filled suitcase.

The police were contacted and an investigation has been opened by Paris prosecutors, who handed the case to financial crimes specialists.

Notably, many apartments in Paris come with a cellar beneath the building, which helps to compensate for often cramped living quarters in the densely-populated city.