Art market in France - statistics & facts

The French art market is the fourth largest worldwide and became the biggest in the European Union (EU) after Brexit. Despite being the leading art hub in the EU, the share of France’s global art market value was just seven percent in 2022. Meanwhile, the United States accounted for 45 percent of art and antiques sales worldwide, ahead of the United Kingdom and China. That year, the total sales value of the art market in France amounted to around five billion U.S. dollars, the highest figure reported to date. The country is also known to have one of the lowest reduced VAT rates for imported works of art in Europe, at 5.5 percent as of January 1, 2023. By comparison, Spain and Italy had a reduced VAT rate of 10 percent.

Art trade in France

In 2022, France's export value of works of art exceeded its import value. That year, the trade value of works of art, collectors’ pieces, and antiques exported from France reached nearly two billion U.S. dollars – an increase of roughly six percent from 2021. On the other hand, the trade value of works of art, collectors’ pieces, and antiques imported into France totaled just above 1.2 billion U.S. dollars. Overall, the United States was both the leading exporter and importer of works of art in France, with the United Kingdom and Switzerland being other key commercial partners for the French art market. In 2022, the trade value of art exports from France to the U.S. amounted to more than 700 million U.S. dollars. Conversely, the trade value of art imports from the U.S. to France added up to under 500 million U.S. dollars.

The French auction market

Auction houses are companies facilitating the buying and selling of goods such as works of art, furniture, or luxury products. Aside from the French divisions of Christie’s and Sotheby’s – the leading auction houses worldwide – the country’s auction market also includes competitive domestic businesses such as Artcurial, Millon, and Aguttes. In 2022, global sales of Artcurial surpassed the mark of 200 million euros, setting a new record for the French auction house, while total sales of Million and total sales of Aguttes worldwide also reached a new high. That year, when focusing on the art market, excluding sales of furniture and antiques, the revenue generated from public auctions of fine art and NFTs in France was approximately 991 million U.S. dollars.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Jan 10, 2024

Key insights

Sales value of the art market in France
4.6bn USD
France's share of the global art market
7%
Reduced VAT rates for imported works of art and antiques in France
5.5%
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Distribution of the art market value worldwide in 2023, by country

Art & Antiques

Global art market share 2023, by country

Revenue at public auctions of fine art and NFTs worldwide in 2023, by country (in million U.S. dollars)

Art & Antiques

Revenue at fine art and NFT auctions worldwide 2023, by country

Reduced VAT rates applied to imported works of art, collector's items, and antiques in the European Union (EU 27) and United Kingdom as of January 2023

Art & Antiques

Reduced VAT rates for imported works of art and antiques in the EU 27 and UK 2023

Related topics

Art market

4

Online art market and NFTs

3

Luxury goods market

3

Recommended statistics

Overview

5

Overview

Art trade

4

Art trade

Auctions

5

Auctions

Auction houses

4

Auction houses

Art collectors

3

Art collectors

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Art market in the United States
Art market in the United States
Art market in the United Kingdom (UK)
Art market in the United Kingdom (UK)
Art market worldwide
Art market worldwide
Global online art market
Global online art market
Impact of Brexit on the art market in the UK and EU
Impact of Brexit on the art market in the UK and EU
Auction market worldwide
Auction market worldwide
NFT art market
NFT art market

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu