On Wednesday, October 29, at the Académie du Climat in Paris, Yann Arthus-Bertrand will host a singular charity auction to benefit his GoodPlanet Foundation. Around forty unique experiences are up for bidding: lunch with former French president François Hollande, a behind-the-scenes visit to a television newsroom, two days inside the Paris Match newsroom, wildlife observation with photographer Vincent Munier, a tour of the Guerlain workshop, or an immersion into Dior’s creative process.
Under the hammer of auctioneer Philippe Ancelin, these “experience lots” move away from traditional collectible objects to focus instead on encounters, dialogue, and curiosity. Starting at €500, bids are expected to rise quickly. All proceeds — an estimated €200,000 — will go directly to GoodPlanet, founded in 2005 by the photographer to “defend the living” and raise awareness about climate issues.
For nearly two decades, the foundation has worked on the ground to promote sustainable agriculture, reduce carbon emissions, and protect biodiversity. Located in the park of Roland Garros’s former home, in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, it welcomes thousands of visitors each year for exhibitions, screenings, and educational workshops.
For Yann Arthus-Bertrand, this sale is a way to reinvent philanthropy. In this spirit, he has convinced around thirty public figures to take part. Among them are Coline Serreau, François Hollande, Erik Orsenna, Éva Jospin, Stéphane Bern, Françoise Nyssen, and the cartoonist Plantu.
The offerings reflect the diversity of their contributors: a day inside the France Télévisions studios, a conversation about cinema with a filmmaker, a private museum visit, dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or even a trip to Peru. The catalogue also includes a rare photograph by Sebastião Salgado, donated by his widow, Lélia Wanick Salgado — a tribute to a long friendship.
This sale continues the lifelong commitment of a photographer who, since Earth from Above and Human, has sought to connect beauty and awareness. His aerial images have moved millions, revealing the fragility of our ecosystems. At the same time, Arthus-Bertrand is currently featured in a major exhibition at Paris City Hall, where he has set up a studio to photograph visitors and offer them a signed portrait.
The auction for the GoodPlanet Foundation will take place on Wednesday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Académie du Climat (2, Place Baudoyer, Paris 4th arrondissement) and online through Drouot’s platform. The event extends the mission of a photographer who has become, over time, one of the most consistent voices for the environmental cause.
Discover here all the lots from “40 exceptional experiences and encounters to benefit the GoodPlanet Foundation,” an auction organized by Drouot, on October 29 at 7:30 p.m., at the Climate Academy in Paris. It is also possible to bid online on the Drouot website.
