In a difficult economic environment in 2011, the auction houses in Paris have shown a remarkable dynamism either Anglo-Saxon auction houses , Sotheby's or Christie's, or auctioneers in Paris performing at Drouot, the proceeds from sales of works and objects of art has progressed significantly.

Every year since the liberalization of voluntary auctions in France in 2001, the first place goes to the Anglo-Saxon this year, Christie's has a product sold 199 million Euros, up 13% from the year 2010. His great rival is not far with 190 million Euros of paintings, furniture and works of art sold an increase of 9%.

Among the great Parisian auctioneer, emphasize the third place of the SVV Artcurial which jumped 27% to 127 million. This auction house is composed of three tenor’s auctioneers, Hervé Poulain, Francis Briest and François Tajan.
All auctioneers (110) selling at Drouot for their part, generates a turnover of 482 million Euros, up 9.2%. Note however that this figure includes voluntary sales but also sales by court order that remain the monopoly of French auctioneers.

Paris shone with several prestigious auctions and pieces sold beating world records. These include in particular the sale of the Château de Gourdon by Christie's for 41.9 million Euros, the sale at Sotheby's of the Fabius collection with a product sold 6.9 million Euros and for Artcurial “Nu Couché” by Nicolas de Stael sold for the record bid of 7 million.

Despite these excellent results, Paris Art Market declined internationally. Thus, if 20% of works sold at auction pass through Paris, they represent only 6% in value of product auctions worldwide.
There were several explanations: the impressionist and modern works are sold mainly in New York and jewelry "upscale" in Geneva. In addition, since 2011, China moved to first place by passing the fourth of France. Paris, meanwhile, also has many specialties such as 18th century furniture, books, the Art Deco and Arts Premiers, but they do not compete in terms of sales price with the Impressionist and modern painting sold, in New York.

These figures show us that the art market and especially the Parisian auction houses have their own in an increasingly competitive environment. Paris showed an outstanding dynamic in many specialties and as much as London or New York, is able to establish new world records for outstanding works of art; 13 billionaires bids at Drouot only this year.

Cedric Henon, fine furniture specialist.

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