Making a making a remarkable return to the contemporary art world

Billionaire François Pinault bought Chen Zhen and Pistoletto

41st edition of the fair sees continued growth

Many dealers reported mixed results from the fair

The Parisian dealer was one of the first to tap into Asian markets

But attendance was down at fairs devoted to works on paper

“We meet a broader range of collectors here”

The billionaire entrepreneur bought a majority stake in 2000

Collectors and dealers praise the quality of art on offer

François Pinault, Bernard Arnault and Claude Berri attended, among many others

Piasa gets revamp after falling out of top six

Five years ago, France finally allowed outsiders to hold auctions in the country by ending the 400-year-old monopoly of state-appointed auctioneers

Most auctioneers reported increased sales in 2005

A top museum director and a dealer react to the billionaire’s decision to show his contemporary art collection in Venice

Foreign collectors deserted the fair and the French only buy their own artists

And a London exhibition reminds us why he was popular in the first place

Plus ça change... plus c’est la même chose

Following €1.23 million bid over writing desk

Briest allies with Artcurial

Gérard Champin is the president of new regulatory body for auction sales

Tip-top results for two very different sales

Fury at likely choice of railway warehouse as temporary replacement

Controversy over statue which dates from 1850-1720 BC

End of auction monopoly still awaited

Owner of Christie's bids high and wins big

Commissaire-priseurs unite in preparation for 1998

“A bit mad, but in a nice way”—Jean-Claude Binoche

Good pickings for private collectors at Drouot auctions

A recent symposium at the Crédit Municipal examined ways in which the market could be improved