Guillaume Cerutti, former head of the Pinault Collection and chief executive of Christie's, will become president of the Château de Versailles on November 9, 2026. He succeeds Christophe Leribault, who left the post in February to lead the Louvre.
Cerutti brings experience across France's public arts institutions and the international art market. His previous roles include managing director of the Centre Pompidou, CEO of Sotheby's France and CEO of Christie's. He led the Pinault Collection for 13 months before departing in spring 2026.
A major restoration ahead
At Versailles, Cerutti will oversee a €200 million restoration and safety program scheduled to continue through 2031. The French Ministry of Culture says the work will strengthen fire protection and security for the historic buildings and collections.
The palace welcomed around 8.4 million visitors in 2025 and employs approximately 1,000 people. Cerutti's leadership will bring together cultural stewardship, operational expertise and the demands of welcoming audiences to one of France's most recognized heritage sites.
How the restoration and visitor experience evolve under his direction could help shape how major historic institutions protect their collections while remaining accessible to future generations.
