Some rare, unknown artwork created by Pablo Picasso have been discovered in France.

The pieces were turned in to the Picasso Inheritance Administration by an elderly French couple in November.

Experts say there are 271 pieces that have never been seen before and they have been valued at nearly $80 million.

The discovery has sparked a lawsuit by a 71-year old-retired electrician who has claimed he once worked for Picasso. The couple says the pieces were gifts from the artist.

"To imagine that he could have given 271 art works to somebody is of course absurd," said Jean Jacques Neuer, lawyer for Claude Picasso.

The couple said they decided to turn in the artwork since they are getting older and didn't want their children fighting over any inheritance.