Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Where to go antiquing in France?

French Linens

My friend Nathalie (from La Madone) and I are going to an antique fair in the middle of France. We consider it to be one of our favorites. Over two thousand dealers and many more buyers swarm the small picturesque town of Leyment which is surrounded by cornfields.

Vintage music paper

It was at this fair years ago that I heard over the loud speakers that Princess Diana had died.

The fair stood still for a brief second in shock. A freeze frame moment.

When President John F. Kennedy died I remember that instead of my mother picking my cousin Sara and I up from kindergarten, my father came to pick us up. I remembering thinking something was wrong when I saw him instead of my mother. He told us that, "…today is a very sad day for our country, President Kennedy has been assassinated…" We rode home listening to the report on the radio.

Do you recall where you were?

French monogram

What I hope to find at the Brocante/antique fair in Leymends:

Hemp linen,
Porcelain de Paris statues and vases,
Old 18th century paper back books,
Documents that are handwritten,
Small oil paintings,
Broken bits of jewelry like lockets and watch chains,
Pastries to keep me going,
and tonight a place to sleep in Nathalie's car…. she knows I snore.

Wish me luck, and that Nathalie doesn't kick me out!

Comments

40 responses to “Where to go antiquing in France?”

  1. Di Overton

    I was at a Beatles concert when I heard JFK had been assassinated, me and only 599 other people. I was only 12 and wasn’t quite sure, at first, what assassinated meant. Sadly there where many more to come in my lifetime. Have a great day antiquing I am so envious 🙁

    Reply
  2. jend’isère

    Not too far from me, I may try to make it.

    Reply
  3. joodie

    sweet lady … how enjoyable it is to have a memory “tickled” by your conversations, even though this one is bittersweet
    I was in a biology class in Ft Worth when the awful news of JFK was announced – the handsome president and his graceful beauty of a wife could have been anywhere in the world, and they were mere miles from where I sat.
    Last night, watching all the wonderful tellings by friends and family about dear old Teddy Kennedy was, again, bittersweet – so much loss for beautiful Caroline, too much almost. Have always marveled that her mother went to Heaven with more secrets than can be imagined, and she never spoke a word of all she had seen.
    It was awful to hear of Princess Di, and horrible to hear when John Kennedy Jr’s plane went missing – both of those events had me hoping, hoping, there had been a terrible mistake, and that those young people would somehow not die.
    Kiss Annie for me – she’s another gal who must’ve seen much in her long life…..
    I read your conversations daily, Corey of the Brocante! glad Sacha is home, and tout mieux to Chelsea as she goes back to school!
    again, tout mieux,
    from San Antonio

    Reply
  4. le petit cabinet de curiosites

    Bonne chance !!! Don’t buy too much ..

    Reply
  5. Redness

    We watched with horror on our small black & white TV when JFK was killed – even so far away were were mortified!
    I’d been studying when Diana died, the subject was ‘Death & Dying’ … my brother phoned to tell me. I was sure he was joking. I turned on my TV, sat for days and days, cried and cried. I got a High Distinction for the subject. How sadly unfortunate I owe such sucess to beautiful Diana.
    Maybe next year we might meet up at this brocante 😉

    Reply
  6. Linderhof

    Have a great day antiquing. I like your list of “finds”

    Reply
  7. Julie Ann Evins

    I wish you and Nathalie a wonderful day’s antiquing, wish I could join you. Please say Hi to her from us. I have looked on her blog from La Madone which I would love to follow. She has put an English translation service on there but I am afraid to say, as I am sure you know, these do not work efficiently and the sense of it is mostly lost in translation. My French is regrettably not up to the job Im afraid (hopefully one day) – I wonder if you know a better service than the one she has employed. I guess it is something you may have had to search out in your earlier years in France. Bon journee & happy hunting to both of you, Jx

    Reply
  8. Jeanne

    Have fun my darling and I snore too
    I love ou ……….
    Love and hugs

    Reply
  9. Sue

    5th grade for JFK. Such a funny feeling.
    I was working the ticket counter in Orlando florida and this woman walked up-I thought she is stunning-who is she? Then JFK jr walked up to her. They had gotten married over the weekend and where on their way to their honeymoon!

    Reply
  10. Linda@Lime in the Coconut

    I was three…but I remember in little bits and piece…my mother ironing, crying, black and white tv on…
    Your weekend sounds scrumptuous…hope you find eveything your heart needs!

    Reply
  11. La Framéricaine

    I was standing on a playground on Sunshine Terrace in Albuquerque, NM, getting ready to have Thanksgiving weekend and turn 11 in the coming weeks. We were living through our own, foiled, assassination attempts.

    Reply
  12. Evelyn Jackson

    Those moments of universal tragedy become seared in memory. I, too, was in biology class when the news broke of JFK’s assassination. It was delivered by the class goof-off who came in late, as usual, for class. No one believed him until the principal announced it over the intercom. Bobby’s assasination hit me hard as well…I had just heard him speak in San Diego as he campaigned, two days later he was shot.

    Reply
  13. Muncie Hansen

    I too was in Kindergarten when JFK died. I remember I was swinging on the swing, preoccupied with how to make Paul McCartney love, love me do when I learned about it. I watched the funeral on our black and white TV mainly because it preempted cartoons. That was in Atlanta, Georgia. I was spending Labor Day weekend at home in Layton, Utah when I heard Diana had died. I spent the rest of the weekend in shock and noting how quickly life with those we love can end. But on a brighter note– I look forward to more photos. You show me the most lovely things and I enjoy seeing the world through your eyes!

    Reply
  14. Gina Baynham

    I’m afraid I wasn’t born when JFK died so I cant share my memories. I was pregnant with my first child and on a long journey in the back of my in-laws car when Princess Dianas news came through on the radio. Every hour as we drove in the dark I listened to the reports that she was critical, that she may lose her leg and then finally that she was dead. It was the longest night I ever remember. So very sad.

    Reply
  15. patty

    I was in surgery having my toncils out. When I came to after anesthesia, the first thing I heard was my grandmother tellingme that President Kennedy had died. In my young mind, I thought it was my fault somehow. If I had only been awake and not in surgery none of it could happend. Silly things kids put together when they hear importatn news.

    Reply
  16. Beth

    I would love to go antique-hunting at a French market – what fun!
    I am just watching Ted Kennedy’s funeral on the news. I was in 5th grade when JFK died. I was at school, and our principal had the radio playing over the loud speakers in the classrooms. I remember kids being really upset on the bus ride home. It was a sad time, as this is a sad time. But I believe that all the wonderful Kennedy men are now together in a better place.

    Reply
  17. Sheala

    Happy Hunting!!!
    PS~ When JFK was shot we were on our way to Chico, mom was having our portrait (Kevin and I) taken. I don’t remember that day…. but I do remember all the grown ups talking about it for a really long time. Remember Don Lederer? When we were little I always thought he looked like the photos of President Kennedy! With my wild imagination I thought maybe he WAS the president on a secret mission in WIllows or some crazy thing!
    I know, I’m a dork!

    Reply
  18. Liz

    My teacher announced to our 6th grade class that JFK had been assassinated. School was closed for the day and we rode home in quiet school buses to worried mothers. My town was just 50 miles outside Oak Ridge, TN, and during the “cold war” this made us cautious, vunerable. When my father got home, we spent the evening gathered around the TV. Some families we knew spent the evening in their bomb shelters. We didn’t have one…Daddy felt it was better to go in the blast.

    Reply
  19. Jeanette M.

    How I wish I could go to the antique fair with you today – sounds like just a perfect day to me. Instead, I am getting on a plane to fly from my home (Arizona) to Seattle. We are moving my daughter up there to attend law school. Bittersweet, very bittersweet. Happy Hunting!

    Reply
  20. annie

    I clearly remember where I was when JFK was killer. I was between classes in high school, just leaving history class. I was 15 years old. Everyone around me was crying. I was too shocked to cry.
    By the way, please tell sweet Annie that Annie in California sends her a big hello.

    Reply
  21. Diogenes

    Two thousand dealers? I really wish I was there! You know I’ll be there in spirit. I like Porcelaine de Paris too, Corey. I’d also be hunting for sconces (appliques), clocks (Deco and earlier), and frames.
    When Kennedy died, I was in my parents bedroom in Philadelphia and it came over the TV news – I was 5. Your father was right, a sad day for the country. When Martin Luther King was shot, we lived in Dallas. The babysitter burst into tears, then turned up the TV. When Diana died, I was in my home in Los Angeles. I couldn’t believe it.

    Reply
  22. Marilyn

    I was standing in the library at school when I heard about President Kennedy. My heart was so sad. I had seen Robert Kennedy in SF, riding a cable car and shaking hands, just a day or two before he was shot. The Kennedy boys will be missed, but not forgotten.
    Have fun on your adventure with Nathalie.
    Marilyn
    in Oregon

    Reply
  23. mimicharmante

    Corey, is this an annual sale or does it happen more frequently? It sounds simply divine and I would love to plan my birthday visit around something this fantastic.
    I hope you will be so kind as to take endless photos for us to enjoy!
    Bon chance mon amie,
    xo

    Reply
  24. Sally

    I was at school, playing on the schoolyard at lunchtime, when I heard that President Kennedy was dead.
    A classmate that lived close enough by to go home for lunch, returned to school and told us that he had died. We all told her “No! That’s not true!”
    I can’t remember our teacher telling us anything when we went back to the classroom after lunch recess but I do remember my father coming home early from work and telling me, “This is a day you’ll always remember.”
    I can remember watching on television, people filing past the casket in the Rotunda, the funeral procession, John John saluting.
    I can also remember as barely a teenager, waking up in the middle of the night, wind blowing trees against the house, not being able to sleep and turning on the radio to hear that Bobby Kennedy had been shot at The Ambassador Hotel.
    Teddy Kennedy’s funeral has begun as I write of these memories …

    Reply
  25. Amelie T.

    You ladies are all older than I am – I’m 46 and sorry I don’t remember President Kennedy’s death! Hope the antiquing goes well though!

    Reply
  26. Ardi

    I was standing in the living room of our rental house/cabin on Hood Canal, watching the mountains and ironing when the news came over the radio. My daughter was a toddler and wondered why I suddenly started crying.

    Reply
  27. Betty

    I was in high school when President Kennedy was assassinated. I remember being at the dentist getting my tooth filled and the dentist took the headphones off my ears so I could listen to the radio announcement. It was a very sad day and a another very sad time in our country’s history.

    Reply
  28. martina

    I had a cold and was home sick from kindergarten. I was listening to the radio when news came that President Kennedy had been shot. Went to tell Mom, she didn’t believe me. I had a very vivid imagination. I kept insisting. The t.v. was never on during the afternoon back then but she turned it on at that time. We sat and watched, stunned and sad. When Dad came home from work, he did the same thing. Like 9/11 our country changed immensely on that day.
    On a happier note, have a great time at the Fair and be sure to do a show and tell when you come home!

    Reply
  29. Kathie

    My memories of hearing of JFK’s shooting are like many other posters’ here, coming out of a class at school. Like Corey and other westerners, it was still late morning for us in the Pacific time zone, and it would be another 45 minutes or so before our hopes that his might be a survivable wound, oh please, Please, PLEASE, were dashed.
    Since my own memories are so mundane, I’d like to share the link to one of the finest personal reminiscences of that day that I’ve read, published on the 40th anniversary of JFK’s assassination. The journalist’s parents, who lived in Dallas, were at the huge luncheon where President Kennedy was to have arrived in a few minutes to speak.
    “First Person: David Fink / A date with history — Isn’t life good? The answer comes ‘blowin’ in the wind’”:
    http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03326/242567-109.stm

    Reply
  30. carolyn

    I heard the news over the loudspeaker at my high school, while in class. When I was in the 8th grade he gave a speech while running for president at a local church, in Beaverton, Oregon. My friends and I ran to the church after school. The beautiful man signed bumper stickers for us.

    Reply
  31. Deryn Mentock

    Ohhhhh…I SO wish I could hunt with you! You will find the most amazing treasures, I’m sure. Best of luck and have a wonderful time. Can’t wait to see what you find!

    Reply
  32. karen cole

    I was walking home from junior high school with some friends(7th grade). A woman in her back yard was hanging her wash and crying. She looked at us and said “did you know that someone shot President Lincoln?”.Yes that’s what she said. We giggled because we thought maybe she was crazy. When we got home we found out what was happening and were all very upset…..for days. It was a time of instant maturity.
    Drool drool drool over the trip to the Antiques fair. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through your adventures in objects extraordinaire.

    Reply
  33. Kathie

    Oh, and how could I forget? My parents and I ALL saw President Kennedy in the flesh on March 23, 1962 — my parents (separately) even at close range, albeit fleetingly! That afternoon he was to speak at the University of California-Berkeley’s annual Charter Day ceremonies in a filled Memorial Stadium (some 80,000). The local schools knew there would be astronomical absenteeism if they tried to make students (and even teachers) stay in school that afternoon with such an irresistible and historically significant attraction nearby, so arranged for classes to be dismissed at lunchtime that day.
    My father was at work that day at the Alameda Naval Air Station, where employees were let out of their shops and offices briefly in mid-morning in order to line up along the motorcade route to greet the President’s limousine as it proceeded from the airstrip where his plane had just landed through Oakland and on to Berkeley. My dad said that as the limo approached where he stood, he (being very ahtletic) leapt high into the air, shouted a greeting to JFK and waved, and the President turned to spot him and waved right back!
    About 30 minutes later, my mother walked down our street to Shattuck Avenue — along which, it had been announced in the news, the motorcade would be driving to en route to campus for the pre-ceremony lunch, so she could see the President up close. In my naíveté, I was shocked when she commented afterwards on her sense of foreboding that there was so little apparent security along the route, that a sniper could easily have been lying in wait atop any of the flat roofs of apartment buildings or mom-and-pop stores along the way — words that would come back to haunt her less than 20 months later.
    [to be continued]

    Reply
  34. Kathie

    [part 2]
    My mother had obtained two free tickets for her and me to attend the Charter Day ceremonies, so we attended together, ascending the steep hill to the top of the Stadium, and brought along my dad’s pre-war Bausch & Lomb binoculars (heavy, but magnified well!). We sat on the east (uphill) side of the stadium on a slightly cool but perfectly sunny day. BTW, being the sort who got enviably suntanned easily, my face, arms and legs got nicely browned that afternoon; I experienced a touch of schadenfreude that evening when I saw my arch-nemesis classmate, a fair-skinned natural blonde, who’d gotten miserably sunburned!
    I know this sounds shallow, but none of us could get over how much handsomer JFK was in person even than in any of his TV appearances (which, of course, were all still in black & white back then) and magazine photos — and how his thick auburn hair glinted red in the afternoon sun. President Kennedy’s speech was of course charming and urbane, like the man himself: One of the biggest soundbites on the news from that afternoon was:
    “This has been a week of momentous events around the world. The long and painful struggle in Algeria which comes to an end. Both nuclear powers and neutrals labored at Geneva for a solution to the problem of a spiraling arms race, and also to the problems which so vex our relations with the Soviet Union. The Congress opened hearings on a trade bill which is far more than a trade bill, but an opportunity to build a stronger and closer Atlantic Community. And my wife had her first and last ride on an elephant!”
    http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/Speeches/JFK/003POF03Berkeley03231962.htm (text and link to audio)
    Anyone who’s read the early chapters of Sara Davis’ slightly fictionalized memoir, “Loose Change” — which opens with her college days at Cal in the early ’60s — will savor the evocative way she described that magical afternoon as well. Life was filled with so much promise back then…
    Sorry to have rambled on so long, Corey, but you’ve really opened the floodgates.

    Reply
  35. Jeannie

    One of the boys came back from lunch in the fourth grade and told us during recess. We thought he was fibbing. Then the principal came on the loudspeaker and told us about JFK and that we would be dismissed early. What would have been a reason to rejoice (getting out of school) became a very somber moment. I thought a lot about Caroline Kennedy this week loosing her surogate father in Teddy.
    Much luck antiquing, I hope the stars are aligned so that you find the one thing you have always wanted at a ridiculously low price!

    Reply
  36. Aina

    Oh I wish I could go with the two of you!! Your wishlist sounds so familiar. Hemp Linen and Porcelain de Paris statues…gosh..I can only Imagine how it will be, walking between the stalls, getting excited with your thoughts very focused.
    Have a fabulous time and please take a few shots as well! ( so I can take a tiny part in it)
    Friendly ( and a bit jealous :))
    Aina

    Reply
  37. Kimberly

    I was not yet born when JFK was killed. I do not remember where I was when Princess Dianna was killed but I do remember when Elvis died. I was a little girl and I heard it announced on the radio. I went into the kitchen to tell my mom what I heard and she could not believe it. I did not know who Elvis was but I knew that he must have been someone special because so many people were talking about it. Have a blessed trip! Kimberly

    Reply
  38. Julie Silliman

    I was in the first grade. At the end of recess when I handed over a playing ball to the ball monitor, he told me he had heard that the president had been shot. It did not seem possible and I did not believe him. Arriving at my classroom, Mrs. Nail had us all line up before entering the classroom. She broke the news. I remember a long day of tears everywhere and then days in front of our B&W television.
    When Bobby was running for president I stayed up to watch the returns as my mother had worked on his campaign. I was watching as he was shot and chaos broke out. I stayed up as late as I could hoping for news that he would be alright. I woke to news that he had died. It was the day before my birthday and he died in the hospital where I had been born. It all seemed to real.
    And then there was Martin. I have such fond memories of the 60s but these will always bring tears.

    Reply
  39. The Consummate Hostess

    Good luck with the antiques fair. I hope that you discover many wonderful treaures!

    Reply
  40. Leigh

    You are a true flea queen! Sleeping in the car! A neck-ache worth a good flea.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions