Have you thought about buying your next car or home by auction?
State auctions (les ventes domaniales) take place throughout France and are organised by the DNID (Direction Nationale d’Interventions Domaniales), a national, governmental administration agency, responsible for selling off a variety of state owned property, assets and estates as well as unclaimed items resulting from theft or loss, unclaimed inheritances, lack of a will, confiscation by the authorities….
The DNID holds over 200 auctions per year of furniture, electrical and household goods, vehicles, and property. Auctions in France are very highly regulated and whilst there are undoubtedly bargains to be had, reserve prices are high.
Dates and places of sales are published online. Go to ‘Ventes Mobilières’ to search for auctions by region or by category of goods, or head straight down to the bottom of the page to ‘Accès rapide’. Go to ‘Ventes Immobilières’ to search for property.
Viewings can be arranged before the auction and the sale price will include VAT, expenses and registration. (frais de vente) Payment can be made at the auction or in instalments, depending on the article for sale.
