From the candle to computerized sales. The organization of auctions of timber from public forests, between government of private interests and concern for the general interest (1318–2020)[De la chandelle aux ventes informatisées. L’organisation des ventes aux enchères de bois des forêts publiques, entre gouvernement des intérêts privés et souci de l’intérêt général (1318-2020)]

This article focuses on analyzing the shaping of commercial exchange built by public authorities in public timber auctions over the past seven centuries, in order to govern the economic conduct of agents. It describes the succession of the three auction procedures used by the forestry to sell its timber lots. It highlights that the use of these procedures corresponds to three different timescales, whose emergence and disappearance are linked to the action of endogenous and exogenous variables. Finally, it demonstrates that the current choice of the National Forests Office (ONF) to exclusively use the tendering process results from a complex arbitration between its interests and those of the forest-wood sector, to which it must ensure a competitive timber supply.