Visiting Flea Markets and Thrifts in France: A couple of acquisitions

Monday, June 9, 2008

A couple of acquisitions

A picked up a couple of things in Pontoise, for only a couple of euros. First, a pretty mirror, but cracked. Best of all, someone painted a branch and leaves right over the crack so I don't even have to!

And another icon (a cheapy this one) for my icon collection.

2 comments:

Megan Rose said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; June 13, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Megan Rose said...: Being a completely level-headed person, I saw the icon in this post and told Jules that we're moving to France. Seems reasonable, no?

(Sorry, I only deleted my last comment because of spelling mistakes. Damn 'L' key is stuck on the laptop. Obviously it would have nothing to do with the way the laptop is used and abused each day...).; June 13, 2008 at 4:22 PM

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Where can you get vintage and other secondhand items in France?

First, there are flea markets (marché aux puces), which are similar in nature to their US equivalents; professional sellers have a stand on a regular basis and sell their wares there.

There are no individual garage sales in France, but it is very common for towns to hold a once-yearly brocante - a huge group garage sale where people get a yard or two of selling space and sell whatever they want. You can find professional sellers at these events, and also lots of everyday people getting rid of their stuff. There are usually 100 to 500 stands at a brocante. When the overwhelming majority of sellers are non-professionals emptying the contents of their attics and basements, this is called a "vide-greniers" (literally, attic emptying!). There are treasures to be found at all of these!

Brocantes often take place in small towns and villages. Usually the town blocks off a few of the main streets and sellers set up their tables there. Often the setting is superbly picturesque, along centuries-old winding streets. They start at the crack of dawn, so be prepared to get up early! But all is not lost. Towards the end of the day prices drop dramatically and there are still some great bargains to be had.

Thrift stores are not as numerous in France as they are in the US. They are dusty and the customer buying experience, shall we say, is not a priority. But you can find clothes, sometimes gorgeous vintage ones, for a euro or two, and some great vintage and antique glassware, porcelain and decorative items. Some thrift stores are expensive, some are not.

Visiting Flea Markets and Thrifts in France

Monday, June 9, 2008

A couple of acquisitions

2 comments:

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Where can you get vintage and other secondhand items in France?

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Visiting Flea Markets and Thrifts in France

Monday, June 9, 2008

A couple of acquisitions

2 comments:

About Me

Where can you get vintage and other secondhand items in France?

Blog Archive

Blogs I read

Other Blogs About France

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