What You Can Find at the Brocante

French linen

 

 

The brocantes (flea antique markets) in France, are plentiful on any given weekend, especially when spring is in the air a million more pop up. Dealers come from around the area to set up and sell their old wares.

Here is a sample of the smalls you can find at any brocante, little French classics that are easy to put in your suitcase not too fragile and easy to carry.

19th century, hand-woven, linen, dish towels, with a red monogram.

Linens, in general, are plentiful.

 

 

Napolean III frames

 

 

Napolean III oval frames in wood or tin.
Leather covered silverware boxes with blue velvet lining.

 

 

vintage lace

 

 

Bread baskets 

and handmade lace.

 

 

Vintage silk flowers

 

 

 

Vintage, fabric flowers that were used to adorn hats, and dresses. Calling your inner Chanel.

 

 

 

French brocante

 

 

Tiny bird cages, ironstone, candy jars, small oil paintings, figurines…

 

 

 

leather box

 

 

 

When you go to the brocante, remember to open the boxes you see, some of the sweetest surprises are inside.

 

 

 

leather box paris

 

 

 

Fragments and antique pieces of jewelry.

 

 

 

salad serving pieces 

 

 

Serving piece, especially salad serving pieces.

 

 

 

old books

 

 

Old leather books, with marbled pages. Here is the deal; Because books are plentiful in France, and because they are heavy to carry if you are tempted to buy more than one- The best thing to do is select what type of book you want to buy, for example- a theme, a style and a period, and only buy books within those guidelines.
Otherwise, you will have a library in a blink of an eye, and have to charter your own plane.

 

 

 

 

French engraving

 

 

 

Engravings... the hardest decision would be to pick which ones you liked the most. Engravings are everywhere.

You can find them with your eyes closed, they literally jump at your feet.

 

 

 

vintage fabircs

 

Fabrics.

 

 

 

vintage jewelry

 

 

Vintage jewelry. It never fails more often than not I am more attracted to the fabric they are attached to and the dealers do not want to sell their display pieces.

 

Important antiquing rule: It never hurts to ask.

 

 

 

salt and pepper holder

 

 

Salt and pepper holders, tabletop wares,

forks, knives, silver, dishes, tureens,

platters, wine bottle holders,

if it has to do with cooking, or dining, or anything food-related related and that type of thing turn you on…

 

DO NOT COME TO FRANCE.

Because, that stuff  is everywhere,

everywhere.

And you will go mad.

I am mad.

 

 

bird cages

 

 

When looking for these "hunter's birdcages" try to find the ones that have pottery pots inside for the bird feed. They are more sought after.

 

 

 

wooden carving blocks

 

 

See more food related stuff. 

France has it all:

Silver, elaborate, rustic, wooden, porcelain, ironstone, crystal…

 

 

vintage silk ribbons

 

 

Ribbons.

 

 

old suitcase with linens

 

Suitcases in case you need another one.

 

Usually stuffed and ready to go.

 

 

 

buttonsvintage buttons

 

 

 

Buttons

 

 

 

IMG_3653

 

 

When are you coming?

The House Next Door and The Tiny House are waiting for you.

 

 



Comments

13 responses to “What You Can Find at the Brocante”

  1. Not to mention all the big stuff, like chairs and dressers and mirrors.

  2. I did just renew my passport. However I’ve also been decluttering the house.. That means I can only look at your great photos and not buy things!

  3. Not soon enough……..counting the months.

  4. Ann of Avondale

    So many treasures…those buttons are amazing and the fabrics. I wonder how much a chartered jet would cost?

  5. Barbara Costa

    Be there soon!

  6. Chrisophe

    I love seeing photos from brocantes. So many different things, and the items you find in your area of France differ from the area I’m in. I just moved from Monpazier (Dordogne) to Villereal (Lot-et-Garonne), and after living here for two years I was surprised at the accumulation. Frequenting brocantes and bringing home a bag or two after two years adds up to quite a sizeable collection. No regrets, though – I love my treasures!

  7. Aren’t we spoilt. The first big outdoor brocante here was held last Sunday, there were cars for literally miles around, it helped that it was a perfectly warm spring day, but they never fail to draw the crowds and they are always fun and very social. Can’t beat them even if you are just browsing!

  8. Coming in April!! Always on the hunt for beautiful old lace. Hoping for a repeat of a trip to a brocante in Fountainebleau when I found a young woman who had cleared out her Grand-Mere’s basement. I literally cried, not from the bargains I found but from the perspective that here was this precious lace that her Grand-Mere had lovingly used and it held no value for the family any more. I took home a box full and hope that her Grand-Mere is happy knowing that I cherish it. Her lace graced the tables of my daughters wedding reception and will be passed down to her one day.
    Thank you for the beautiful post!

  9. Any suggestions for Paris other than Marche au Puce!

  10. Diogenes

    Love the old books! And the ribbons and engravings. A feast for the eyes!

  11. Wishing I was hopping on a plane today. How I would love just noticing what I notice and bringing home memories.

  12. Karen in ohio

    I love the buttons! They make any garment dazzle with vintage charm-

  13. Boy I wish I could, but I would have to win a lottery cause I’d be wanting to ship trunk loads of stuff home!

Leave a Reply

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