If I start off another blog post with “one of my favorite things,” please excuse me but one of my favorite things is French brocantes. There are brocante shops, special events called “brocantes” and brocantes that happen every weekend where you can find antiques, collectibles, vintage items, and, as some say: “crip-crap.”
Tell me there’s a brocante nearby and I’m there!
Favorite French brocantes
Isle Sur la Sorgue is well known for its Sunday market and brocante.
There are two annual antique events in Isle Sur la Sorgue that are among the most popular in the world.
Uzes Brocantes
In Uzes, there are annual brocantes, and on Sundays, the arena parking lot becomes a giant marketplace.
Barjac Antique Sale
Recently I discovered Barjac and experienced the annual antique and collectibles sale that lasts several days.
Saturdays at Villeneuve-les-Avignon
Yesterday my friend Petra Carter took me on a Saturday outing to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. A Barefoot Blogger friend had written to me saying that I should go to the weekend brocante. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Uzes. What a fabulous place!
Even on a damp, misty day, the vendors and customers were out by the hundreds.
villeneuve-les-avignon
So what makes brocantes in France so special?
Friends, food and camaraderie
Popular collectibles
Unusual finds
Something for everyone
Something just for me
Stuff you leave behind
There’s always next week!
Categories: Around France, Blog
Be still my heart! I want to move to an empty living space in France and start filling it up from brocantes! I know who to call when the time comes … *wink, wink*
Bises!
I wish I had more space! Everything I ever dreamed about finding in a brocante is here. You’ll have to plan a few days’ visit next time so we can make the rounds. I’m making a list! Keep writing so you can get back soon!
The shops in Pezenas are a bit disappointing, especially if you’re used to the prices at Vides and brocantes. But, a lunch at the cave restaurant in Florensac would round out the journey, especially if you sample their “Mademoiselle Florensac” white…yummy. I predict you’ll bring some home.
(Pezenas has a charming Toy Museum in centre of town. Great to see all kinds of toys from childhood)
If you liked Villeneuve, make the trip to Carpentras! *Its HUGE* Love it!
Been an antique addict forever, had a shop as a teenager as my part-time job. My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles were all in biz. Now I’m back into it, buying and selling, trolling brocantes – been to them all – during winters spent in Gard/Vaucluse/Hérault and dragging it all home to Canada to my etsy shop.
SO much fun!
I should be running tours….
Enjoy your blog, Deborah, thanks for writing.
I think that once you have brocante shopping in your life, it’s hard to break the habit. I went hand-in-hand with my mother as a child to antique stores. I dragged my two boys with me, too. They each had items they learned to scout for while I was shopping. Now one loves the stuff, the other is a minimalist! Thanks for your suggestions. I’m on it!
I would have been really interested in the chairs. It’s about the worst thing one can have a craving for, old chairs, I have plenty, our house is overflowing, I don’t need any more, and yet they fascinate me, why oh why can’t I have a love for something the size of an egg or an orange instead of chairs!!
Love it! You could find gorgeous chairs here. They’re so interesting because they come from all over the world to these Brocante. Wish I could photo and send you a picture of those I bought in Barjac.
But the problem is I don’t need any chairs, we have plenty and some wonderful antique ones. I just find them fascinating!!! Loved this post x
I totally understand having too much of a good thing. Thanks for reading and following …
Be still my heart! That light fixture is fabulous! I read somewhere that Pezanas had a large number of brocante shops per capita – I started to say “largest in France” but it’s been awhile since I read that.
Oh, that I could have thought of a place to put it. I love that light fixture, too. So much and so like space. Looks like I’ll have to head back to Pezanas. When will you be joining me?!
Still trying to sell my house, and I’m having knee replacement on Jan 9, so hopefully, spring.
Good luck! Just keep at it and I’ll keep looking for a perfect place for you.
I just love the thrill of the hunt! Brocante and vide grenier are two words I learned pretty quick.
Some of my favorite French words too! Lol!
Deborah great pictures and great description of the Brocante experience. But the real question is what did you buy?
I bought oyster plates. So sorry we didn’t know about this place before. It’s fab!! Missing you guys!