French la Vie

 

At a brocante in France, one can find anything. Well, anything old, that is. The classic brocante finds are linens such as sheets with giant monograms, hand-made lace pillowcases, monogrammed dinner napkins large enough to be mistaken for a tablecloth… silverware, serving pieces, dishes, pottery, books, lace, ribbons, nightstands…. etc.

The classic brocante finds are plentiful to the point that it is easy for those living here not to notice them anymore.

Today some friends of ours who are here visiting France for a few weeks were surprised that we didn't go to a certain brocante. I had to remind them that on any given weekend, there are at least thirty or so brocantes within an hour's drive from our home. When you live in France, brocantes are as plentiful as the stars in the sky… finding the extraordinary, the unusual, the good price, and the right vendor is the difference between the visitor and the local at the brocante. The local has every day and weekend of the year to dive into the brocante, and the visitor has a handful by comparison.

 

 

At the brocante, I usually check the vendors I know first. Today I wasn't disappointed. I went to the stand of a man who, nine times out of ten, has more beautiful things than I can ever dream, plus for a price that is half of what one would pay if at a shop.

 

 

 

An iron plaque.

1900s

French

Large, solid…it took two men to carry it for me.

The plaque has two angels on either side of a shield. It used to be above a fireplace in a convent.

Yes, I like religious antiques.

 

Where am I going to put it? That is a question I do not know the answer to. But I did know I had to have it.

 

Descriptive Words Used to Describe Various Markets:

 Marche aux Puces – Flea market

Vide-Grenier – Similar to a Garage Sale, though in the center of town.

Brocante – an antique market

I like any place or shop that has old things, but usually, the brocante is my favorite weekend thing to do. The Vide Greniers and Marche aux puces usually have too many children's plastic toys and clothes for my likening. If you find one or two pieces to call your own, the price of the item will make you do a happy dance for days to come. So if it is cost over quality that you are looking for, then the Marche aux Puces and Vide Greniers are for you.

 

 

 

Now, where am I going to put it?