Édouard de Lamaze Steps Down as Head of French Auction Houses Council

Édouard de Lamaze, 72, has resigned as president of the Conseil des maisons de vente (Council of Auction Houses) effective July 31, 2026, after leading the body since 2024. A lawyer and former interministerial delegate for liberal professions, Lamaze co-authored a 2019 report on auctioneers and oversaw the profession's recovery of its title on July 1, 2026. He cites the completion of this legal milestone as his reason for leaving, stating the profession can now manage itself. During his tenure, the council strengthened anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations, digitized police registers, revised the code of ethics, and improved training. Auction sales reached a record €5.6 billion, demonstrating that regulation can secure rather than hinder activity. Lamaze proposed creating a dedicated institute for auctioneer training, separate from that of judicial officers, requiring consultation with the Symev union and social partners. Other pending initiatives include updates on succession inventories, online sales, provenance, archaeological goods, and a professional card to assert auctioneer status in Europe. Lamaze will return to full-time legal practice and continue as president of the Observatoire du patrimoine religieux, but will no longer intervene in the auction sector.