Since 1984, the Kuperfis family has been discreetly developing the Junot brand, made up of the finest real estate professionals offering bespoke services to owners of exceptional properties in Paris, throughout France, and beyond.
Martine, Anne, and Sébastien share this family adventure.
Martine, could you tell us how Junot was born?
Martine: After ten years in industry, my father and I, driven by our passion for real estate, began renovating beautiful properties in Paris and on the French Riviera in the 1980s.
Our office, located on Avenue Junot, was called "Junot Investissements." It gradually evolved into a real estate agency, as our neighbors and friends began turning to us to buy or sell their beautiful properties in the neighborhood.
How did you develop Junot's business?
Martine: We have always emphasized quality of service and professionalism, with tight-knit teams of salaried and trained consultants. This required in-depth knowledge of each property and a clear understanding of our clients’ specific needs, in order to offer personalized advice and create value for their real estate assets.
What was unique about your clientele?
Martine: There have always been many artists in Montmartre. Very quickly, we started working with well-known personalities—designers, actors, singers...
I believe our seriousness and discretion were appreciated by these individuals, whose time is precious and who want to be able to fully trust their agent.
The period between 2006 and 2015 marked an era of innovation with the arrival of Sébastien and Anne, the new generation.
Martine:
Sébastien's arrival marked a strategic turning point. His education at Dauphine and then ESCP, along with his international experience gained in England and in the office real estate sector at CBRE, enabled him to introduce innovative methods into our operations. Sébastien first took the time to learn the business as a consultant before taking on management and development responsibilities.
Sébastien:
At the beginning of my career, I handled both studio sales and the negotiation of high-end properties. This experience revealed the complexity and the human richness of the real estate consultant profession. We’re in a people business, and the teams that make up Junot are not only true professionals, but also team players. This combination of values—placing the client at the heart of everything we do—is the core of Junot’s identity and its continued growth.
Anne, how did your arrival influence the direction of the company?
Anne:
When I joined Junot in 2008, with a background in communication and marketing in the retail sector and after completing my studies at Celsa, the company had only three agencies. My role was diverse, encompassing communication—which was still in its early stages—managing existing branches, and supporting the opening of new ones.
Together with Sébastien, we worked on developing an innovative marketing approach aligned with Junot’s identity, focusing on our professionalism, expertise, and attention to aesthetic detail.
Between 2006 and 2015, what major changes did the company undergo, and how did they contribute to its growth?
Sébastien:
This period was marked by significant growth and a series of strategic developments. We expanded our presence by opening new agencies throughout Paris, allowing us to tap into new markets and strengthen our local expertise. We also launched a rental and property management department to offer tailored services to clients seeking to manage their rental assets.
What were the challenges and opportunities of Junot’s international expansion, particularly with the launch of Junot Fine Properties | Knight Frank?
Sébastien:
We chose to partner with the best agencies around the world, enabling us to present our Parisian properties to their clients and, in return, gain access to their international clientele.
This strategy facilitated our integration into the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World network, and later led to our partnership with Knight Frank for our private office department, Junot Fine Properties.
This alliance allows us to manage real estate projects for ultra-high-net-worth individuals in Paris and offers our clients access to a global network of exceptional properties.
How has Junot navigated and adapted in the face of economic and real estate crises?
Sébastien:
Crises such as the one in 1992 and the financial crisis of 2008 were turning points, demonstrating the importance of solid, long-term financial management with a “prudent and responsible” approach. Experience has shown that professionalism and an adapted strategy are essential to weather these difficult periods and continue serving our clients effectively.
What changes have you observed in the luxury and ultra-luxury sectors?
Sébastien:
Since the creation of Junot Fine Properties | Knight Frank, we have seen growing interest from international buyers in Paris, with increasing presence from Asian and Middle Eastern clients alongside Americans. The city is attractive because of its unique and remarkable architecture. It is perceived as extremely stable in real estate, notably due to fixed and long-term interest rates.
How do you see the future evolution of the real estate market?
Sébastien:
The future should see increased consolidation among market players, favoring well-structured and professional agencies. In a relatively unstable world where French pensions will no longer be funded, the appetite for real estate will remain very strong, and thus values should continue to rise over the long term.
What are your projects and ambitions for Junot in the coming years?
Sébastien:
Our ambition is to continue our growth while maintaining an exceptional level of service for our clients. We will offer our expertise in other places we love—in France and beyond—and continue to support the development of new activities such as retail, life annuities, and commercial premises.
What do these 40 years of existence represent for you?
Sébastien:
These 40 years reflect our passion and commitment to Junot, which are intertwined with our personal lives. Seeing the company grow is a great source of pride and satisfaction, especially since we have done so with loyal and close-knit teams for many years, if not decades.
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