Auctioneer Tours : Art Valuation – Aucties

Auctioneer in Tours: Free Appraisals and Auctions of Works of Art

Do you live in Tours, Amboise, Blois, or one of the towns in the Indre-et-Loire department, and would you like to know the market value of an inherited painting, an antique piece of furniture, a family heirloom, or a collectible?

Auctie’s, an auction house licensed by the French government since 1977, offers residents of Tours and the Centre-Val de Loire region a completely free appraisal service, conducted by our experts in less than twenty-four hours, with no need for you to travel and no obligation on your part.

Get an appraisal for a work of art or collectible in Tours and the Indre-et-Loire department

Whether it’s a signed painting, a porcelain set, a luxury watch, a stamped piece of furniture, or a piece of jewelry made of gold and precious stones, Auctie’s experts can provide a reliable appraisal based solely on photographs submitted online. This service is available to residents of Tours as well as throughout the Indre-et-Loire department and the Centre-Val de Loire region.

This accessibility addresses a common need among residents of Tours and the surrounding area who wish to obtain a professional opinion on the value of an item without necessarily planning an immediate sale: preparing for an estate, creating an insurance inventory, planning for the division of an estate, or simply out of curiosity about the value of a family heirloom.

Request a Free Online Appraisal

To request a free appraisal from Tours and throughout the Indre-et-Loire department, simply submit photos of the item from multiple angles via the online form, along with any available information about its provenance, age, and overall condition. Auctie’s experts will respond within twenty-four hours.

We recommend including clear photos of the front and back of the item, any visible hallmarks, signatures, or maker’s marks, as well as any available provenance documents: purchase receipt, certificate of authenticity, or mention in an estate inventory.

What types of items can be appraised by an auctioneer in Tours?

Auctie’s experts handle all categories of items that may be offered for auction, covering virtually the entire collection of personal property owned by residents of Tours and the Indre-et-Loire department.

Furniture, paintings, and works of art

Stamped furniture from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, paintings from all schools and periods, sculptures, drawings, watercolors, and prints make up the largest share of appraisal requests received from across France.

Jewelry, watches, and gemstones

Diamond rings, pearl necklaces, luxury watches, and jewelry from renowned houses are appraised by Auctie’s gemologists and watch experts. The value of collectible jewelry and watches remains particularly strong on the auction market.

Silverware and Goldsmith’s Work

Silverware sets made of solid or plated silver, goldsmith pieces signed by leading Parisian houses, and antique cutlery constitute a category in which Auctie’s has recognized expertise.

Fine Wines and Spirits

Bottles of fine wines, brandies, and exceptional spirits are subject to specialized appraisals at Auctie’s, where specialists are able to evaluate everything from Bordeaux and Burgundy wines to collectible whiskeys and cognacs.

Vintage Fashion and Leather Goods

Designer handbags, haute couture ready-to-wear, signed vintage pieces, and luxury fashion accessories constitute an active segment of the auction market, with particularly strong demand for brands such as Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Dior.

Asian Art and Primitive Art

Chinese bronzes, Asian ceramics, and African and Oceanic artworks: Asian art and primitivism are categories for which international demand is particularly strong, warranting a rigorous appraisal by a specialized expert.

Books, manuscripts, and historical memorabilia

Antique books, manuscripts, autographs, and historical documents are appraised by Auctie’s bibliographic experts, who draw on their knowledge of the bibliophile market to provide a reliable valuation. 

If you’re unsure which category your item belongs to, our experts will be able to classify it correctly as soon as they receive the first photos. No item is too modest to warrant a serious appraisal: the true value of a piece can sometimes be surprising, and only an expert eye can identify its defining characteristics.

What are an auctioneer's fees? Is the appraisal free?

Appraisals conducted by Auctie’s experts are completely free and non-binding. No fees are charged for this initial step, regardless of whether the process results in an auction or not.

The auctioneer’s fees are only incurred at the time of the actual sale, in the form of a commission deducted from the hammer price. This commission, whose sliding scale is set by French regulations, is split between the seller and the buyer according to terms specified in a contract signed before any decision is made. The seller receives the net proceeds of the sale after deduction of the seller’s fees, which are agreed upon prior to the sale.

Selling at auction from Tours and the Centre-Val de Loire region: how does it work?

Auctions in Tours follow a simple and transparent process, governed by French regulations. The process begins with a free online appraisal request, which allows the expert to assess the item’s market value and propose a reasonable starting bid.

Once the estimate is approved and the decision to sell is made, the seller signs a consignment agreement specifying the item’s description, the agreed-upon reserve price, and the terms of sale. The item is then shipped to Auctie’s warehouses, professionally photographed, and included in the catalog for the next auction appropriate for its category.

The auctioneer conducts the auction in person at the Hôtel Drouot in Paris and online via the major digital platforms. Once the item is sold, the seller receives the net proceeds within the contractual timeframe, generally within thirty business days. If the item does not reach its reserve price, it can be withdrawn at no cost or resubmitted for a future sale.

Auctie’s in Tours: Our in-person appraisal days between Old Tours and Place Plumereau

Auctie’s regularly organizes in-person appraisal days in Tours and throughout the Indre-et-Loire department. These events allow private sellers to submit their items directly to a professional auctioneer.

Our most recent visits to Tours

During its recent appraisal days in Tours, the Auctie’s team appraised paintings from the Tours School and by landscape artists from the Loire region, Renaissance- and Louis XV-style furniture from local estates, antique jewelry, silverware, and local earthenware, as well as historical artifacts linked to the long royal tradition of the Loire Valley.

Our upcoming appraisal days in Tours and throughout the Centre-Val de Loire region

Auctie’s regularly schedules new appraisal days in Tours and in towns throughout the Centre-Val de Loire region—Joué-lès-Tours, Amboise, and Blois. To find out the dates and locations, individuals are invited to register using the form available on the website.

Our Upcoming Auctions

Auctie's organizes several auctions each month at the Hôtel Drouot in Paris, covering all major categories of the art and collectibles market.

Decorative Arts and Antique Furniture

Our auctions dedicated to decorative arts and furniture feature a selective collection of marked furniture, works of art, and tapestries from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries each quarter.

Jewelry, Watches, and Precious Objects

Our specialized jewelry and watch auctions feature lots carefully selected by our gemologists and watch experts.

Paintings and Graphic Arts

Our paintings auctions feature works from all periods and schools, each accompanied by a comprehensive description.

Our Most Notable Recent Auction Results

The proof of our expertise lies in the results we achieve for our clients. Here are a few recent examples of sales conducted by Auctie's.

Tours: History, Heritage, and the Local Art Market

As the capital of the Loire Valley and the former royal capital of France under the Valois dynasty, Tours boasts an exceptional artistic heritage, a direct legacy of its privileged position in French monarchical history. The Château d’Amboise, the Château de Villandry, and the region’s countless manor houses bear witness to a remarkably rich collection of movable heritage.

An artistic heritage highlighted by Old Tours and Place Plumereau

Old Tours, with its medieval half-timbered houses and Renaissance mansions, and Place Plumereau, the picturesque heart of the old town, constitute heritage sites of great richness for the local art market. The art collections of Tours’ prominent families, often passed down through several generations, regularly fuel the auction market.

A local art market, between historic auction houses and Tours’ historic center

The Tours art market benefits from a clientele of collectors with an appreciation for Renaissance heritage and French-style furniture—categories particularly well-represented in the region’s historic residences. The Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also attracts an international clientele that supports the local market.

Auctie’s, with a presence in Tours, Joué-lès-Tours, and throughout the Centre-Val de Loire region

Auctie's operates in Tours and throughout the Centre-Val de Loire region, from Joué-lès-Tours to Amboise and as far as Blois. This regional coverage ensures that any owner of a work of art has access to Auctie's expertise.

Where are Auctie's auctions held?

Auctions held at the Hôtel Drouot in Paris

The Hôtel Drouot, located in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, is France’s premier venue for public auctions. Bringing together dozens of auction houses under one roof, it hosts hundreds of auctions each week covering all categories of items.

Drouot: a venue that brings together a large number of buyers and collectors every week

The Hôtel Drouot serves as a unique hub for players in the French and international art market: private collectors, dealers, gallery owners, museums, and institutions of all nationalities. Auctions are also streamed live on major online platforms, allowing bidders from around the world to participate remotely.

About Auctie’s: A Historic Auction House

Our History Since 1977

Founded in 1977, Auctie’s—a member of the Rossini Group—has weathered nearly fifty years of changes in the art market while maintaining the same commitment: to offer private individuals professional and transparent access to the auction market. The 2025 ranking by the Council of Auction Houses places Auctie’s and the Rossini Group among France’s leading auction houses, distinguishing them as the ninth-ranked house without foreign capital—an independence that ensures our complete alignment with our clients’ interests.

Our values: expertise, transparency, and a commitment to solidarity

Auctie’s bases its operations on the expertise of its teams of specialized auctioneers, the transparency of its pricing terms communicated before any contract is signed, and its commitment to social responsibility: Since 2021, our sellers have been able to donate all or part of the proceeds from their sale to charitable causes of their choice, with a corresponding tax deduction.

Why choose Auctie’s?

● Free appraisal in less than 24 hours, with no need to visit us and no prior commitment

● State-certified auctioneers, ranked among the national leaders (2025 ranking)

● A presence at the Hôtel Drouot in Paris, ensuring the best possible exposure

● In-person appraisal days in Tours and the surrounding region

● Complete transparency regarding pricing terms, disclosed before any contract is signed

● Personalized support from the appraisal through to the receipt of sale proceeds

● Nearly fifty years of experience serving private clients

● Option to donate all or part of the sale proceeds to a charitable cause