Guillaume Cerutti named president of the Palace of Versailles
The former global chief executive of Christie’s returns to the public sector to head one of France’s most prestigious cultural institutions
After an eight-month gap without a president, the Palace of Versailles has secured a new leader in the form of Guillaume Cerutti. The 60-year-old is set to lead the prestigious institution, as reported by Politico. Cerutti, a graduate of France's top École nationale d'administration and a former senior civil servant, replaces Christophe Leribault, who had previously led the Louvre.
This appointment marks Cerutti's return to public service after spending two decades in the private sector. Interestingly, he is following in the footsteps of his former mentor, Jean-Jacques Aillagon, who held the position at the Palace from 2007 to 2011. Cerutti worked closely with Aillagon for years, both at the Centre Pompidou and during Aillagon's tenure as France's culture minister.
Cerutti's management skills have been honed through his experience in the art market, where he served as head of Sotheby's France and Christie's operations in Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and India. At both companies, he earned a reputation as a cost-cutter and adept at navigating market challenges. However, his tenure at Christie's and the Pinault Collection was less successful due to conflicts over financial discipline and acquisition pace.
Despite this setback, Cerutti brings extensive connections in business, culture, and politics to his new role at Versailles, a historic palace, museum, and gardens that attracted 8.4 million visitors in 2025 and employs around 1,000 people.
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