Guillaume Cerutti choisi pour présider le château de Versailles

Versailles is on the verge of appointing a new president following eight months of interim leadership. Guillaume Cerutti, a former president of Pinault Collection and former CEO of Christie's, is expected to lead the prestigious chateau, according to POLITICO - the Élysée Palace has not responded to inquiries. His nomination must be approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, according to three sources familiar with the process.

Emmanuel Macron made this choice on the recommendation of Culture Minister Catherine Pegard, putting an end to speculation that had been swirling among several names, including Yaël Braun-Pivet, the current President of the National Assembly who had to deny it. Cerutti began his career at the Inspection of Finance, then directed Jean-Jacques Aillagon's cabinet in the Ministry of Culture at the beginning of the 2000s and returned as Director General of Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) in Bercy.

He then joined the art market, working for Sothebys before joining Christie's rival. Within the Christie's-owned Artemis holding, he climbed the ranks to become its global CEO, occupying the position from 2017 to 2025. He then became president of Pinault Collection, which he left last spring after just over a year in charge. A senior executive at a major French museum, surprised by this choice, wonders how Cerutti managed to secure the position.

Cerutti's extensive network of buyers, collectors, and patrons is believed to have played a crucial role in his favor. Versailles remains one of the world's most frequented cultural sites, with nearly 8.4 million visitors in 2025.