The purchasing process
1. Find out about upcoming auctions
There are several ways to stay informed about our auctions:
- By regularly checking our [Upcoming Auctions] page, which lists all auctions and lots;
- By subscribing to our [newsletter], which notifies you of each upcoming auction and gives you access to the list of lots on offer;
- By setting up keyword alerts on Drouot.com or Interencheres.com;
- By receiving our print catalogs.
2. You’re interested in a lot
You can request additional photos or details about an item’s condition by email or phone.
Public viewing: It takes place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before a Sunday auction, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then on the morning of the auction itself, from 11 a.m. to noon. This allows you to examine the lots and assess their condition for yourself.
At any time, the auctioneer, his experts, his clerks, and the entire team at Le Floc’h are available to provide you with information, advice, and assistance. Every item offered for sale has been thoroughly researched by our specialists, so that you can bid with complete confidence.
3. Participating in the Auction
In the auction room, in Paris or Saint-Cloud: your presence in the room is all that’s needed. A simple wave of the hand signals to the auctioneer that you wish to place a higher bid. The bidding increment, at the auctioneer’s discretion, is generally around 10%. To place a specific bid, it is recommended that you announce the amount aloud, though the auctioneer remains free to refuse it.
Can’t make it in person? You have three options:
- Place a buy order: You set a maximum bid for the lots you’re interested in. The auctioneer then acts on your behalf, following your instructions, without ever exceeding the specified amount.
- Bid by phone: A few lots before the one you’re interested in comes up, a Le Floc’h staff member will call you and relay your instructions to the auctioneer in real time.
- Bid live: See the details below in the “Bid Live” section.
Purchase orders and telephone bidding requests must be completed on-site during the exhibition or sent by email. You will be asked to provide a written document, a form of identification, and a credit card authorization form. This service is free, subject to the auctioneer’s approval.
Who can bid?
Auctions are open to the public: anyone may attend as a spectator. Any adult who is of legal age, responsible, and solvent may bid and purchase, after reviewing the terms and conditions of sale posted at the auction venue, which specify, in particular, the bidding procedures, liability clauses regarding the condition of the lots, sales and payment fees, and pickup conditions.
4. During the auction: the sale
If you are the last bidder, the item is awarded to you. If the bidding remains too low or the reserve price set by the seller is not met, the lot is withdrawn from the sale. The word “sold,” spoken by the auctioneer and accompanied by a strike of the gavel, formalizes the conclusion of the sales contract and the transfer of ownership.
The buyer becomes the owner as soon as the lot is awarded, even if they have not yet paid for or taken possession of it. A certificate of sale is then issued to you once your purchases are complete and paid for.
5. After the auction: paying for your purchase
The Auction Receipt
This “invoice” lists the sale, the lot number and description, as well as the hammer price plus purchase fees:
Type of sale | Buyer’s fees |
|---|---|
Voluntary sales | 27% including tax |
Judicial sales (Le Floc'h judicial) | 14.28% including tax (legal fees set by law) |
These fees are always specified in the terms and conditions of sale, which are publicly announced before each sale.
Payment
The preferred payment methods are bank transfer and credit card. Upon receipt of your invoice, you can pay directly online on our [Saint-Cloud Payment] page.
Le Floc'h does not accept payments made by a third party other than the successful bidder: please ensure you pay from a bank account registered in your name.
In accordance with Articles L. 112-6 and D. 112-3 of the Monetary and Financial Code, cash payments are permitted only for amounts under €1,000, including fees and taxes, for French nationals and professionals acting within the scope of their business activities. For private buyers who are foreign tax residents, the limits are raised to €15,000.
Once the payment slip has been paid, you may pick up your lot.
Shipping
Shipments and transportation must be arranged directly with our logistics department at logistique@lefloch-drouot.fr. The variety of sizes, shapes, and materials of the items sold often requires a customized shipping quote.
If you approve the shipping quote during online checkout, your items are generally delivered within 7 to 14 business days after payment confirmation. Items can also be shipped via Colissimo Registered Mail; in this case, the shipping costs and a flat-rate packaging fee are the buyer’s responsibility.
Pickup
Items sold are generally stored at our Saint-Cloud facility, with the exception of valuable items that require additional time to prepare for pickup. Please schedule a pickup appointment with our logistics department (logistique@lefloch-drouot.fr) or directly online via [schedule an appointment in Saint-Cloud or Paris].
For small items, and upon request to logistique@lefloch-drouot.fr, Le Floc'h can arrange for your lot to be transferred to its Paris office in the 16th arrondissement, located at 30 Avenue Théophile Gautier.
Le Floc'h offers storage for your purchase for two weeks. After this period, daily storage fees will apply.
Bid Live
Follow the auctions live and bid remotely via the Drouot Live or Interencheres platforms. You must register in advance before the auction begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee for bidding by phone or placing a buy-it-now order?
No, this service is free, subject to the auctioneer’s approval. You will be asked to provide a written document, a form of ID, and your bank account information in advance.
What are the buyer’s fees at Le Floc’h?
27% including tax for voluntary auctions, 14.28% including tax for judicial auctions (legal fees set by law).
Can I bid online on the day of the auction?
No, you must register to bid live on Drouot Live or Interenchères before the auction begins.
How do I pick up my lot after the auction?
By appointment at our offices in Saint-Cloud or Paris, or by shipping (carrier based on quote or Colissimo Recommandé). Two weeks of free storage is provided after purchase.
Can I pay in cash?
Cash payments are permitted up to €1,000 for French nationals and professionals, in accordance with the Monetary and Financial Code.
Do I have to be present in the auction room to buy?
No, you can bid via written bid, by phone, or live online from home.