Antiquing in France where flea markets and antiques are as plentiful as the stars in
the sky, it is not difficult to be a collector. One can collect an array of antiques, big and small, furniture, porcelain, rustic art, books, fabric, silver, and ephemera in lightening speed. If you like antiques do not come to France because you will go crazy the moment your foot touches the flea market ground.
At the French flea markets where history lays out before you as easy as
any major chain store does in the USA, it is not a question of what will you find?
The real question is: What do you want to find. If you want to find ribbon
you will— but if you want to find a certain shade of mauve, or aubergine, or maybe a certain tint of grey and in silk.. than that is another
thing. Pink ribbons are the most common.
Common is not a word I usually attach to antiques. Nevertheless there
are many French antiques that are common: Items that are a given to any flea
market. Let me say it like this.. Certain brocante items are as common as apples and oranges in a grocery store. Where apples and oranges are
available every single day. We assume they will always be there, expect them
and do not consider buying them unless we are hungry for them. It is
the same with certain antiques in France…. but if you are looking for
a certain type of apple other than a Granny Smith you might have to
look a bit harder and pay more.
Take postcards for example. Post cards are plentiful in France, but a bundle of postcards with
beautiful handwriting, stamped, and with a lovely image on the opposite
side– that is another question. Linens, dishes, books, mirrors, sconces… are plentiful and a given to any French antique/brocante market. The question is price. You can find
it, but how much are you willing to pay for that one special piece verse the ordinary.
I have been
going to the antique/brocante markets for over twenty years. Sometimes just to be inspired, often for
the cultural/historical lesson to learn, and mainly because I have the *brocanting bug badly". (Brocante: Is a noun to say Antique Market. I am
using the word as a verb for my own pleasure. Or as my French Husband
would say butchering a perfectly good French word into Franglais.).
When is the best time to go antiquing in France?
Anytime. Antique markets are year round. When in France ask at thelocal Tourist Office for the nearest: Brocante (antique market),
Marche aux Puces (Flea Market), or Vides des Grenier (garage sale like
market).
Though I find May and September to be very good months for antiquing.
What should you bring? Cash, since credit cards and foreign checks are not accepted. A large backpack or push
cart to carry your purchases. A small notebook to write down what you
bought, newspaper or bubble wrap to protect the items that you find and hand sanitizer because your hands will get dirty.
How do I ship my goods back home?
1) Post your purchases from the post office. You can purchase a pre paid box that holds 14 pound. It costs $61. Or you can box your goods yourself in a box up to (but it can be smaller) three feet by three feet, not weighing more than 60 pounds. Cost: $279.
2) If you are a passenger going or coming from France to the USA, or the USA to France. You can cargo frieght your goods home. You need to package your own goods and take them to the airport. Size and weight are unlimited. Though all items must be boxed and ready for shipping. Your purchases will be sent by cargo freight, door to door. Check out Bagages du Monde on the internet. The cost is per pound.
3) Or you can pack your purchases in your
suitcases. Check your airlines for size and weight limitations. Usually
an extra suitcase cost around $80 for 50 pounds.
4) Contact Fed EX and have your items picked up wherever you are staying.
5) LTC or "Less Than Container" you can use an international
transporter (most antique shops can lead you to one) a cubic meter can cost up to
$1000. Delivery is up to eight weeks and often your will have a custom
entry charge. If you buy items at a local antique/brocante fair you will need to take your goods to an international transporter. If you buy your goods at an international fair or at an Antique shop, the international transporters will pick up directly for you. International transporters can be found on the internet, or at most French antique shops,
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