A new headquarters for Piasa in Plaine-Monceau

In mid-September 2026, the Piasa auction house will host the event in the capital. She announced her move from 118, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré where she was opposite Sotheby’s, a stone’s throw from the Bristol, to a private mansion at 8^e district of Paris, at 54, rue de Monceau. Some 900 meters as the crow flies, a little further away from the bustle of the perimeter of modern and contemporary art galleries which have arrived in number in recent years, this new address nevertheless remains at the heart of cultural life and the market. Its proximity to the Nissim-de-Camondo Museum is not negligible. Just like the one with the Lelong Gallery, rue de Téhran, very popular with collectors.

With this new headquarters of 1,200 m2 (compared to 900 m2 for the old one), or 700 m2 of exhibition space, Piasa marks a new stage in its development, thus giving itself the means to strengthen its position both in France and internationally. 70% of its buyers are foreigners and the house is increasingly called upon to compete with large international houses, on business in France, Europe or the United States. After two years of negotiations, Piasa took over the place where the Roger Gallet cosmetics brand was installed, which had left it in almost new condition, with little work to be done, except to adapt it to the needs of an auction house. We suspect that it will cost more in rent. But this is only the best for its image and a breath of fresh air for its modernization.

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The place will be more open, more generous and more adapted to the contemporary uses of the art market. The space was designed as a setting dedicated to showcasing works and the experience of collectors. More spacious and modular, it will allow Piasa to host its auctions, exhibitions spread over three levels, from the basement to the first floor, and private events in optimal conditions. With rooms dedicated to confidential meetings for sellers and buyers.

« There is a very positive side to this move which suits us perfectly even if the handling risks perhaps being more complex, access not being immediate on the street as before in Faubourg. Losing proximity to Sotheby’s is not the subject because it has not really brought us more customers. Those passing through represent a tiny proportion. Our loyal customers know us, the new ones buy mainly online or by telephone but less in person, a trend which has become widespread everywhere», Estimates its general director, Frédéric Chambre. Piasa has its own live, the first “in-house” website for bidding online, without charging fees, which is not the case with other platforms. But it remains a partner of Drouot live, live auctioneer and Invaluable.

Piasa has the particularity of relying on six majority shareholders who have injected money and continue to support it. In the lead: Laurent Dumas of the company Emerige who will inaugurate his Art Center at the tip of Seguin Island in October but also the businessmen Serge Weimberg, Charles-Henri Filippi and Alexandre Berda (son of Claude). Without forgetting Marie Filippi and Frédéric Chambre. Former minister Laurent Fabius, who now devotes himself to painting, left the team. Others from the good people are still there like Jérôme Clément, Michel Cicurel or Lionel Zinzou, the former prime minister of the Republic of Benin and investment banker whose name the Foundation bears.

In 2025, Piasa posted 55 million euros, after a record year in 2024 of 65 million euros. A turnover that has more than doubled since 2019. “We left for a forecast in 2026 of 58 to 60 million euros. If Piasa lost money between 2012 and 2017, it has been making money since then, says Frédéric Chambre who arrived in 2013. We created Piasa Brussels in 2018 which carries out its sales at the Royal Ice Rink (three dispersions per year) and is starting to set up a network of correspondents in Spain and Italy where a representative office has just opened in Milan.

« Our team of 35 employees is stable, a clear sign of the health of a house and proves that people feel good there, adds the auctioneer. She will develop publishing and photography and consider reinstating a furniture and works of art department. Our strong point remains Decorative Arts and Design, 65%, where we are leader ahead of Artcurial, with French, Italian, Scandinavian, American and Brazilian Design. The jewelry is wearing well. Directed by Fabien Béjean, Florence Latieule and Laura Wilmotte Koufopandelis. modern and contemporary art is regaining vigor. In September, we have the honor of presenting the Canfrere collection of 69 post-war paintings. We would like to arrive at around 20 million euros for the 20th and 21st centuries.

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The house has already distinguished itself with the collections of Geneviève and Jean-Paul Kahn, Raf Simons, Antoine de Galbert, Daniel Varenne, Velma Bury. At the French level, if we count Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams. Piasa comes in sixth position. And without the big international houses, purely at the French level, in third, behind Artcurial and Millon & Associés. She has a good growth progression ahead of her…