Paris Auctioneer: Art Valuation – Aucties

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

Do you live in Paris or one of the towns in the Île-de-France region, and would you like to know the market value of an inherited painting, a piece of antique furniture, a family heirloom, or a collectible?

Auctie’s, a state-certified auctioneer and auction house since 1977 and a member of the Rossini Group—headquartered at 7 Rue Rossini in the 9th arrondissement—offers all Paris residents a completely free appraisal service, conducted by our experts in less than twenty-four hours, without requiring you to travel or make any commitment.

Have a work of art or collectible appraised in Paris and throughout the capital

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 from Paris as well as from all Parisian arrondissements and the Île-de-France region.

This accessibility addresses a common need among residents of Paris and its surrounding area who wish to obtain a professional opinion on the value of an item without necessarily planning an immediate sale: preparing an estate, compiling 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 Estimate

To request a free appraisal from Paris, simply submit photos of the item from multiple angles via the online form, along with any available information about its provenance and condition. Auctie’s experts will respond within twenty-four hours. For large collections or estate inventories, experts will visit your home in any arrondissement of Paris.

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 documents of provenance: purchase receipt, certificate of authenticity, or mention in an estate inventory.

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

Auctie’s experts handle all categories of items that can be offered for auction, covering virtually the entire collection of personal property owned by individuals in Paris and the Île-de-France region.

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 in 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 works of African and Oceanic art: Asian art and primitive art 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 correctly classify it 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 or not the process results in an auction.

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 Paris and the Île-de-France region: how does it work?

Auctions in Paris 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 reserve price.

Once the appraisal 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 the 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 Paris: Our in-person appraisal days between the Hôtel Drouot and the Opéra district

Auctie’s regularly organizes in-person appraisal days in Paris, at its offices in the 9th arrondissement and in various neighborhoods throughout the capital. These events allow private sellers to submit their items directly to an expert auctioneer for an immediate physical examination.

Our Most Recent Visits to Paris

During its appraisal days in Paris, the Auctie’s team appraised items across all categories of the art market: old and modern paintings, 18th- and 19th-century furniture, high-end jewelry, collectible watches, silverware, Asian art, and early art. The diversity of Paris’s cultural heritage, shaped by centuries of cultural and commercial history, is reflected in the richness and variety of the appraised lots, which are unmatched in the rest of the country.

Our upcoming appraisal days in Paris and throughout the Île-de-France region

Auctie’s maintains a permanent presence in Paris at its offices in the 9th arrondissement, just a stone’s throw from the Hôtel Drouot. Valuation days are also held in towns throughout the inner and outer suburbs of the Île-de-France region—Versailles, Neuilly-sur-Seine, and Boulogne-Billancourt. To find out the dates, individuals are invited to contact the auction house directly.

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 select collection of marked furniture, works of art, and tapestries from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries every 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 Auctions

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.

Paris: History, Heritage, and the Local Art Market

As the world capital of art and the birthplace of the public auction market, Paris is home to the vast majority of the institutions, galleries, auction houses, and private collections that contribute to France’s cultural influence. With its 2,000 museums, dozens of auction houses, and thousands of collectors, Paris offers the art market an ecosystem unmatched in Europe.

An artistic heritage anchored by the Hôtel Drouot and the Marais district

The Hôtel Drouot, located in the 9th arrondissement, has been the beating heart of the French auction market since the 19th century. The Marais district, with its galleries, museums, and historic mansions, is a world-class cultural hub that directly fuels the Parisian art market.

The Parisian art market: historic auction houses and the Opéra district

The Opéra district—and more specifically Rue Drouot and its surroundings—boasts a unique concentration of auction houses, antique dealers, and experts. It is within this environment that France’s most dynamic art market has developed over nearly two centuries.

Auctie’s, with locations in Paris, Versailles, and throughout the Île-de-France region

Auctie's is headquartered at 7 Rue Rossini in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, just a stone’s throw from the Hôtel Drouot. This location in the heart of the Parisian art market allows the firm to offer its clients unparalleled responsiveness and expertise, enhanced by its immediate proximity to the most discerning buyers.

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 leading venue for public auctions. Bringing together dozens of auction houses under one roof, it hosts hundreds of auctions every 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 remaining steadfast in its 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 the leading auction houses in France, distinguishing them as the ninth-ranked house with no 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 fee structures—disclosed 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 Paris 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