Auction house

Sotheby's: from 1744 to prime property in Paris

Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty is the prime property arm of the Sotheby’s International Realty network in Paris and western Paris, heir to the Sotheby’s auction house founded in London in 1744. This is the oldest auction house still in operation, based at 34-35 New Bond Street since 1917. The agency values and handles the sale of prime apartments, private mansions and large family homes across the 16th, the 17th and Neuilly-sur-Seine.

Sotheby’s, an auction house founded in London in 1744

Sotheby’s is an auction house founded on 11 March 1744 in London by Samuel Baker, a bookseller. Its first sale dispersed a private library of nearly 500 volumes, that of Sir John Stanley. The firm later moved into prints, medals, then fine art. It left the booksellers’ district for 34-35 New Bond Street, in Mayfair, in 1917. Two and a half centuries on, the name remains a global reference in art and collectibles.

From Sotheby’s to the Sotheby’s International Realty network

Sotheby’s International Realty is the prime property network born from the auction house in 1976. It first served Sotheby’s collectors looking for rare residences. In 2026 it marks fifty years. The brand brings to property the same standards it applies to art: selection, confidentiality, controlled international exposure.

Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty, prime property in Paris and western Paris

Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty covers prime property across the 16th, the 17th and Neuilly-sur-Seine. The 16th brings together the Trocadéro, avenue Victor Hugo, Passy, Auteuil and La Muette, home to Haussmann buildings and private mansions. The plaine Monceau, in the 17th, runs alongside the park and its ashlar-stone facades. Neuilly-sur-Seine borders the Bois de Boulogne and the île de la Jatte. The teams there follow family apartments, private mansions, penthouses and confidential listings.

Le Marais, the 3rd and 4th with Paris Marais Sotheby’s International Realty

Paris Marais Sotheby’s International Realty covers prime property in the Marais, across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. Its office at 37-39 rue de Turenne follows the district’s private mansions, their cobbled courtyards and period ceilings. The place des Vosges sets the heart of the quarter, lined with 17th-century arcades. Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and rue Vieille du Temple run with characterful buildings and boutiques. Towards Saint-Paul and the Île Saint-Louis, in the 4th, apartments look onto the Seine and its quais. Together, the group brings five agencies and six teams, each focused on its own area.

The strength of an international network

The Sotheby’s International Realty network gives each property global visibility. Its figures in 2026:

• more than 1,100 offices worldwide
• a presence in 86 countries and territories
• nearly 26,000 property advisors

Exposure extends to premium platforms such as Mansion Global, the Wall Street Journal Mansion, JamesEdition and Financial Times Property Listings. Every property is unique: only a tailored valuation measures its value precisely.

FAQ: Sotheby’s and prime property in Paris

When and where was Sotheby’s founded?

Sotheby’s was founded on 11 March 1744 in London by Samuel Baker. The first sale concerned a private library of nearly 500 volumes. The firm later opened up to fine art and collectibles. It has been based at 34-35 New Bond Street, in Mayfair, since 1917.

What is the link between Sotheby’s and Sotheby’s International Realty?

Sotheby’s International Realty is the property arm born from the auction house in 1976. The network first guided Sotheby’s collectors through their residential purchases. It carries the same licensed brand and applies to property the same culture of rarity. In 2026 the network turns fifty.

Which areas does the group cover in Paris?

The group covers western Paris and the Marais. Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty works across the 16th, the 17th and Neuilly-sur-Seine, from the Trocadéro to avenue Victor Hugo and the plaine Monceau. Paris Marais Sotheby’s International Realty covers the 3rd and the 4th, around the place des Vosges and rue de Turenne.

What types of property does the group represent?

The group mainly represents Haussmann apartments, private mansions, penthouses and large family homes. Many circulate off-market, away from public portals. Value rests on the address, the floor, an unobstructed view, light and the presence of outdoor space. A private mansion also commands value for its independence, outside any joint ownership.

Why use the Sotheby’s International Realty network for a prime property?

The network offers rare international visibility for a confidential property. It counts more than 1,100 offices, a presence in 86 countries and territories and nearly 26,000 advisors. A Paris property reaches a global private clientele, without needless exposure. Marketing stays targeted, on selected premium platforms.

How do you have a prime property valued in Paris?

A valuation is requested directly from the group, through the online form or with the agency covering the relevant area. It is free and confidential. The assessment works street by street, floor by floor, because two properties at the same address rarely hold the same value. View, aspect and condition weigh as much as floor area.

Have your property valued in Paris: Sotheby’s International Realty expertise

The group values prime properties across the 16th, the 17th, Neuilly-sur-Seine and the Marais free of charge. Request a confidential valuation online in a few minutes. To speak with someone, contact the agency for your area. Each property is studied according to its address, floor, view and real condition.