A love of the arts, spanning three generations
The Martin-Banel auction house, founded in 2021 by Valérie Martin and her partner Geoffroy Banel, is first and foremost a story of heritage. Following in the footsteps of Paul and Jacques Martin, two distinguished figures in the Versailles auction scene, a third generation of art lovers is now at the helm of the famous family auction house, located at the Hôtel des Chevau-Légers.
Auctions as a legacy
In 1958, auctioneer Paul Martin set up shop in Versailles at the Hôtel des Chevau-légers auction house. At the time, it was nothing more than an outdated and dusty room, which was completely renovated in the early 1960s. At a time when Sundays were reserved for family time, he initiated the first Sunday sales. In a relaxed atmosphere, local families and art and antiques enthusiasts flocked to the exhibitions to admire the objects as if in a museum... This was followed by auction sessions, which were sometimes heated. To accommodate all these people, he had the Chevau-Légers gallery built next door...
Particularly brilliant and erudite, he trained his son, Jacques Martin, who in turn became an auctioneer in 1974. Father and son worked together until Paul's death in 1980.
With his boundless energy and strong personality, Jacques developed the business, organising impressive specialised sales: old masters such as Poussin and Vigée Le Brun; modern paintings by Modigliani, Utrillo and Vlaminck; the dispersal of renowned collections such as the Castille collection, containing furniture and objects from Charles X, or the furniture and cellars of the France ocean liner; the first sales of prestige cars, or the judicial liquidation of the Prost racing team...
Several times a year, special sales are held at the Palais des Congrès in Versailles, with rooms always packed to capacity.
For more than 30 years, Valérie Martin, Jacques' daughter, has been following in their footsteps.
At the age of 5, she was already in the front row, collecting what she then called ‘autographs’: purchase orders, bids... Later, she learned the trade under her father's watchful eye. With degrees in law, art history and gemmology, she organised sales of jewellery, silverware and modern paintings... and even more unusual sales, such as the first sale of theatre costumes and wax figures from a local château.
As the custodian of the family business, she finally founded her own firm in 2021, in the historic offices of the Hôtel des Chevau-Légers, 3 impasse des Chevau-légers, working alongside her father until his recent death.
Preserving the best of tradition while adapting to modern times
Although the premises have shrunk since those legendary days, the Martin-Banel firm has nevertheless managed to preserve the values that built its predecessors' reputation: supporting clients, advising them and serving their best interests. And, of course, promoting the value of objects. In this era of digital anonymity, the firm offers an intimate setting that prioritises human relationships.
However, in order to overcome geographical constraints and reach a wider audience, both in France and internationally, the firm is developing its online sales.
Valérie Martin on her profession: ‘What I love about this exciting profession, at the crossroads of art, history and people's personal lives, is that you never get bored!’
Auctions as a legacy
In 1958, auctioneer Paul Martin set up shop in Versailles at the Hôtel des Chevau-légers auction house. At the time, it was nothing more than an outdated and dusty room, which was completely renovated in the early 1960s. At a time when Sundays were reserved for family time, he initiated the first Sunday sales. In a relaxed atmosphere, local families and art and antiques enthusiasts flocked to the exhibitions to admire the objects as if in a museum... This was followed by auction sessions, which were sometimes heated. To accommodate all these people, he had the Chevau-Légers gallery built next door...
Particularly brilliant and erudite, he trained his son, Jacques Martin, who in turn became an auctioneer in 1974. Father and son worked together until Paul's death in 1980.
With his boundless energy and strong personality, Jacques developed the business, organising impressive specialised sales: old masters such as Poussin and Vigée Le Brun; modern paintings by Modigliani, Utrillo and Vlaminck; the dispersal of renowned collections such as the Castille collection, containing furniture and objects from Charles X, or the furniture and cellars of the France ocean liner; the first sales of prestige cars, or the judicial liquidation of the Prost racing team...
Several times a year, special sales are held at the Palais des Congrès in Versailles, with rooms always packed to capacity.
For more than 30 years, Valérie Martin, Jacques' daughter, has been following in their footsteps.
At the age of 5, she was already in the front row, collecting what she then called ‘autographs’: purchase orders, bids... Later, she learned the trade under her father's watchful eye. With degrees in law, art history and gemmology, she organised sales of jewellery, silverware and modern paintings... and even more unusual sales, such as the first sale of theatre costumes and wax figures from a local château.
As the custodian of the family business, she finally founded her own firm in 2021, in the historic offices of the Hôtel des Chevau-Légers, 3 impasse des Chevau-légers, working alongside her father until his recent death.
Preserving the best of tradition while adapting to modern times
Although the premises have shrunk since those legendary days, the Martin-Banel firm has nevertheless managed to preserve the values that built its predecessors' reputation: supporting clients, advising them and serving their best interests. And, of course, promoting the value of objects. In this era of digital anonymity, the firm offers an intimate setting that prioritises human relationships.
However, in order to overcome geographical constraints and reach a wider audience, both in France and internationally, the firm is developing its online sales.
Valérie Martin on her profession: ‘What I love about this exciting profession, at the crossroads of art, history and people's personal lives, is that you never get bored!’