On 1 and 2 October 2025, the Colas Foundation will be auctioning 82 canvases from its contemporary art collection of almost 400 paintings at Hôtel Drouot in Paris. The main theme of this collection is roads, and these works will be sold for the benefit of the Apprentis d’Auteuil Foundation to support the integration of young people through culture.
Exhibited in the Group's premises, these works of art contributed for thirty years to making art accessible to all employees. Since 2022, Colas Foundation has evolved: the foundation now supports and promotes initiatives that foster the social and professional integration of children and young people through education, training, and access to employment, as well as through economic activity, sports, or culture.
The selection offered for sale illustrates the diversity of artistic views and approaches: canvases signed by artists from all backgrounds, with their own unique styles, including Gérard Fromanger, Peter Klasen, Claire Tabouret, Rafał Olbiński and Costa. In their own way, they all explore the concepts of movement, territory and connection.
Made possible by the support of Hôtel Drouot, the leading auction house, this initiative reflects the Colas Foundation's wish to combine its two priorities: the social and professional integration of young people and access to art for all.
This project came about with the collaboration of Art Valorem, the company in charge of the auction, and with the commitment of Isabelle Lefort, gallery owner and trustee of the Board of Directors of the Colas Foundation.
"This auction embodies a transition from an artistic commitment to a commitment to solidarity. By putting this collection at the service of a charity project, Colas Foundation is combining culture and solidarity and helping to make art a factor for promoting integration and dissemination", says Pierre Vanstoflegatte, Chairman of Colas Foundation.
The funds raised by the auction will go to the Les Arts pour Apprentis d'Auteuil (Arts for Apprentis d'Auteuil) program, which uses artistic and cultural practices as an educational tool and a means of fostering social connection, reducing inequalities, and promoting empowerment and social integration.
Apprentis d’Auteuil is a Foundation recognized as being of public interest, which has been supporting young people and families in difficulty for nearly 160 years through 450 facilities and programs for care, education, training, and integration across France.
