A Saturday at Drouot: go behind the scenes of auction house sales with immersive experiences

Hôtel Drouot opens its doors to the general public every Saturday starting September 19, 2026, offering a behind-the-scenes look at auction sales and the art market through free immersive experiences.

Do you feel the makings of an art collector but lack the funds to acquire a small piece of history? Hôtel Drouot invites you to discover its behind-the-scenes workings and immersive experiences every Saturday, from September 19 to December 12, 2026, for now. A new format that lets anyone explore and discuss the world of auctions alongside the auctioneers.

Each Saturday will spotlight a new theme, but throughout the year you can join guided tours into the heart of the art market’s essential institution, uncovering its history; meet the people who run public auctions, learn a few anecdotes from the métier de commissaire-priseur, a profession many overlook, or échanger avec des experts who will reveal the secrets behind the artworks.

For a truly immersive experience, the animation "Si j'avais un marteau" invites you to step into the role of the auctioneer for a fictional sale. The youngest visitors can also enjoy a treasure hunt in the heart of Hôtel Drouot, to spark their interest in this world in a playful way. These days are free to attend but require advance booking.

The lineup for "A Saturday at Drouot"

September 19–20 — Drouot celebrates Heritage Days

This weekend, as part of European Heritage Days, about thirty tours, workshops and experiences will be on offer. Sales & Exhibitions: Paris Mon Amour (Lucien Paris), French Song (Millon), Camille Claudel and the Moderns (Philocale)

September 26 — Drouot, as told to me

Drouot opens its doors to children and grown-ups alike with auctions, exhibitions and activities devoted to childhood: Playmobil, Manga, toys. Plenty of surprises in store! Auctions & Exhibitions: Playmobil (Pestel-Debord), Japanimation (Nouvelle Étude), Toys (Drouot Estimations)

October 3 — Secondhand, First Choice

As Fashion Week kicks off, Drouot marks fashion and jewelry with a sparkling selection of sales, the perfect moment to treat yourself. Sales & Exhibitions: Jewelry (Deburaux Du Plessis, Margaux Serrano, Villemur Art)

October 10 — Art in Motion

Explore art history across the centuries, with a rich program of exhibitions, lectures and guided tours. Sales & Exhibitions: Art Nouveau (Millon), Twentieth-Century Art (Drouot Estimations)

October 24 — From the Studio to the Salon

During Art Basel Paris, Drouot will offer a rich program devoted to contemporary art and design. Sales & Exhibitions: School of Paris (Millon), Contemporary Paintings (Ader), Twentieth-Century Art (Aponem)

November 7 — Selected Works

The exhibition of the season’s most notable works returns to Hôtel Drouot, under the artistic direction of Judith Touitou. Crafted as an invitation to navigate between different universes, it explores resonances between works beyond epochs, categories and traditional hierarchies.

November 14 — Click, the Graphic Weekend

In the wake of Paris Photo, enthusiasts are invited to discover a panorama of sales dedicated to photography and graphic arts. Sales & Exhibitions: Photography (Yann Le Mouel), Press Drawings (Art Valorem), Twentieth-Century Art (Auction Art°)

November 21 — In Tune with the Collections

A weekend devoted to music, with exhibitions and auctions focused on instruments, scores and artists’ mementoes

November 28 — In Drouot’s Jewel Box

From jewelry creations to exceptional timepieces, this weekend spotlights the craftsmanship of the leading maisons. Sales & Exhibitions: Jewelry (Magnin - Wedry, Mirabaud – Mercier, Margaux Serrano)

December 5 — Drouot, Travel Journal

An invitation to explore non-European arts through a selection of works from across the globe. Sales & Exhibitions: African Art (Giquello), Oriental Art (Ader), Asian Art (Daguerre)

December 12 — Christmas Enchantment

Drouot dresses up for the holidays with a weekend devoted to the magic of Christmas

Hôtel Drouot: the Parisian auction house for art collectors
Between the Grands Boulevards and the Opéra, Hôtel Drouot is a place apart in the Parisian landscape. A temple to auction sales since the XIXᵉ century, it attracts both seasoned collectors and the merely curious who come to make finds. [Read more]