Under the leadership of Pierre Hermé, around twenty renowned pastry chefs joined forces with Artcurial on December 1, 2025, for a grand premiere: the auction of exceptional works and experiences in Haute Pâtisserie.
French Haute Pâtisserie up for auction… What a daring idea!
While auction houses generally focus on items likely to stand the test of time, Artcurial and 25 pastry chefs among the most talented in France (Cyril Lignac, Cédric Grolet, Amaury Guichon, Christophe Michalak, Yann Couvreur, Nina Métayer, and Maxime Frédéric, among others), led by Pierre Hermé, joined forces for this grand premiere on December 1, 2025.
A generous common cause has mobilized the great family of pastry chefs: that of sick children, at an age when they should be enjoying carefree days and…delicious treats.
Delicious treats for children with leukemia
All proceeds from the sale will be donated to BAB Charity. Founded by Alexandre Bader, this association implements actions to improve the quality of life of children with leukemia who are hospitalized at the Armand Trousseau Hospital in Paris. Since its creation in 2019, it has already invested more than €2 million in the creation and renovation of sterile rooms, including reception areas for families.
For the occasion, Artcurial is supervising the sale free of charge and therefore does not charge any fees in addition to the auction.
Ephemeral works and exclusive experiences
For their part, each participating chef has been “invited to imagine an ephemeral work, an original creation, or an exclusive experience to be enjoyed.”
Pierre Hermé is offering a chocolate work of art, designed with artist Patrick Rougereau, combining 495 chocolate eggs and a crystal egg by Daum, along with a gourmet experience: the creation of a bespoke macaron under his guidance, all with a starting price of €10,000.
Nicknamed the “Picasso of Pastry,” voted World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2016, Pierre Hermé is the descendant of four generations of Alsatian bakers and pastry chefs. He has brought international recognition to his delicacies, designed like haute couture, and in particular his famous macarons.
A unique event
Other generous gourmets may also be interested in the offer from the popular Cyril Lignac, with a starting price of €4,000. It combines a nostalgic chocolate creation—a pyramid of 85 marshmallow bears from La Pâtisserie du Chef—and a visit to the set of Le Meilleur Pâtissier with Cyril Lignac.
The offer for two people from Nina Métayer, named the world’s best pastry chef in 2024, has a starting price of €2,000. It includes a private, tailor-made pastry workshop, an exclusive visit, and a gourmet tasting at the Laboratoire de la Délicatisserie.
“Through its ambition and scope, this unique event illustrates a vision of pastry that is committed, open to the world, and focused on the most vulnerable. The involvement of big names such as Pierre Hermé demonstrates the scale and influence of this solidarity project,” Artcurial said in a statement.
Read also > The Ritz Paris turns the page on François Perret with two pastry chefs
Featured photo: © Artcurial
