LET'S RESTORE THE ST. LOUIS CHAPEL!

Donation of a work of art: the charity auction

The amount for the restoration work of the Saint-Louis chapel is nearly 450,000 euros, and we are now launching a call for donations from collectors, artists, gallery owners, art and heritage enthusiasts, and lovers of Saint-Sulpice and Paris. We are looking for any exceptional collectible items, paintings, sculptures, etc. This initiative follows the restorations undertaken in recent years by the City of Paris, with the support of many patrons. The works intended for auction can be submitted for appraisal at the Aguttes office, located at 147 Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris.

The Aguttes House and the protection of heritage

Founded in 1974 by Claude Aguttes and independent since its inception, the Aguttes auction house has risen over the years to become a key player in the art market. In parallel, for more than 25 years, Claude Aguttes and his wife Bernadette have dedicated themselves to the restoration of historical monuments such as the Château de Tournoël. With the acquisition in 2024 of two castles in a state of peril, Culan (2025 winner of the Heritage Foundation) and the Commandery of Celles, these enthusiasts of old stones and works of art continue to pass on to their six children, thirty-two grandchildren, and visitors a taste for beauty and the preservation of French heritage.

The Aguttes House is now passed down to three of their children. It consists of a team of over sixty people and experts leading seventeen specialized departments. Its development is based on founding values: service, rigor, passion, and audacity. Aware of the trust placed in it, it remains true to its vocation of service and excellence. Recently established in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, it is therefore quite natural for the Aguttes House to engage in this ambitious project, perfectly resonating with its history and identity.

The exhibition and the auction

A public exhibition of the proposed works will be held in the 6th arrondissement. On this occasion, an inauguration evening will be organized to thank the donors and partners involved in this project, as well as to facilitate a fundraising effort. The public auction will take place in 2026 and will be subject to the auction regulations set forth in Book 6 of the Commercial Code (Article L320-2 and following).

The charity auction

At the beginning of the 18th century, the priest of Saint-Sulpice, Jean-Baptiste Languet de Gergy, tirelessly worked to find the necessary funds to continue the construction of his church. He came up with the idea of organizing an annual lottery in 1721 to encourage the generosity of his parishioners. An auction is said to be "charitable" when all of its proceeds are entirely donated to a cause, with the professional organizing it not receiving any compensation.

Practical information

• Contact : contact@restaurersaintsulpice.fr – 06 86 18 48 75
• Place of deposit: Bureau Aguttes, 147 boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
• Donation of a work: appraisal with Juliette Rode, auctioneer
• Learn more: Aguttes Paris Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Monetary donation for the adoption of a decorative element

On the evening of the inauguration, a fundraising event will be organized in the form of a symbolic adoption of the decorative elements of the chapel. By raising their hands, donors will be able to contribute to the restoration of the characters in the side frescoes, the flower bed, or the vault: the angel, the book of the History of King Saint Louis, Marguerite of Provence, the monk, the bishop, the Arms of France, the horse, the knights, Saint Louis carrying a plague victim, Saint Louis seated on his throne, etc.

In addition to the tax receipt, a plaque will be placed at the entrance of the chapel with the names of the donors to thank them.