What is up with the brocante? Oh, a lot. Always a lot, which is a good thing, I could never say, "Been there done that." Which is, by the way, something I can hardly stand hearing. I guess I never grow tired of being at the brocante, seeing the old stuff being unpacked, hearing the chatter in the background:
"What did you find?" "How much did you pay?" "Are you going to sell it?" "How much?" "Can you do a better price?"
Because in an odd way it is a French heartbeat. When I go to the brocante I see old things that have a history of the land, a lifestyle, stories unfold with conversations with the antique dealers, at the brocante I have discovered many off the beaten track villages, have met people and have picked up tons of French vocabulary.
How charming it is to see France by brocant-ing?
VERY.
It is true, you know, what they say, the best way to learn a foreign language is to fall in love. That is how I learned to speak French… at the brocante in France. And while learning French I learned a few more French things: History, culture and occasionally about wine, and flirting. Brocanteurs love to flirt. Harmless, entertaining pass time while seeking out old stuff. I suppose being amongst so many beautiful antiques, pieces from all over France, pieces that connect memories and moments does that, it makes you remember, it makes you share stories and it makes you smile while listening to others sharing their stories about their lives uncannily early in the morning standing in an old village.
Vertical garden wall.
While at the brocante,
The distraction of the charming French villages.
Happens.
Often.
The French brocante has everything, literally, everything and some brocantes have better antiques than others. On any given weekend there are several brocantes within an hour or so from where I live. Though there are many brocantes where I live they are not created equal: Some brocantes are expensive, others are more like a flea market with clothes, books, toys and occasionally something incredible shows up for fifty cents. Each brocante has its personality, so knowing which ones to go to is important. For example, if you come to France on a holiday and want to go to a brocante you might not want to go to one that sells clothing, books, toys with the hope that something incredible shows up for fifty cents. You might want to go to a brocante where you will desire more than your suitcase can carry while wondering if you could wear the tureen as a hat, and use the nightstand as a carry-on.
In the thirty years I have lived in France I could talk for hours about brocante tales; Creative overstuffed suitcases, deals made and lost, one of a kind pieces found, negotiating clues, marble tops breaking, paintings found in chicken pens, families selling heirlooms for a song, overpriced items that foreigners thought were real, spotting Catherine Deneuve, Keira Knightly, Hugh Grant, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, going to the dump and finding a treasure, going to a brocante in a castle and finding nothing…
After thirty years of living in France, furnishing four homes, selling countless antiques will the French brocante ever became blasé for me?
Seriously I doubt it.
I have had this passion since I was 14 when I went antiquing with my mom and Aunt Marie.
Drug of choice.
Antiques are the true coquetry teasing me constantly:
"Look closely, come closer, touch me… here I take hold!"
teasing…
And then those words in French. God French is sexy, isn't it? Even if it is talking about brocante (I was going to say junk, but thought I better not… sniff.)
Though most of all it is how the brocante pieces mingle and are spilled with other antique pieces create an undeniable atmosphere. Inspiration galore, creating an urge to gather it all for safe keeping.
If you are ever in France (I am warning you) the stuff is addicting and you might want to move in just to snuggle up to the bits and pieces of happiness.
For those who have been reading my blog you know I am crazy for antiques, that I love France and that I want to meet every single one of you. Each time I have met someone from my blog (I have met hundreds of readers so far…) it feels like we have been friends for years, and we have.
Brocante and blogging have been a great gift… antiques took me online, and being online I have connected with you. How happy that has made me.
When are you coming? Why wait? Come now!
Or at least as soon as you can. If you want to join me here are some dates when I am planning to explore Provence and Brittany:
French la Vie Journeys in Provence
April 16th to the 23rd, 2019, Two places remain
April 25th to May 2nd, 2019, Two places remain
May 21 to May 28th, 2019, Poppy Fields included, Two places remain
June 27th to July the 4th, 2019, Lavender Fields included, Three places available
September 6th to the 9th, 2019, One place available.
Other dates to be announced.
***
French la Vie Brittany
June 4th to 11th, 2019, Four places available
June 18th to the 25th, 2019, Four Places available
Other dates to be announced.
If you would like to join me at another time or
create your own group other then the dates mention above let me know.
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