Brocante d’automne Quinconces - part one

along the riverfront - Pont de Pierre  in the distance

Twice a year Bordeaux holds a ten day brocante fair at Esplanade des Quinconces in the centre of town by the river.  On Sunday we went along for our first time to see what all the fuss is about. The weather was grey but the forecast said no rain.

the leaves are dropping everywhere

We arrived early and wandered from stall to stall with nothing particular in mind, just curious.  I’ll admit there were many things I would have bought but Graham just kept saying “NO”, as he does. The fact that we had bought a few pieces (five !) the day before at our favourite brocante dealer across the bridge did influence this.

at least the stalls were undercover 

barbecuing whole legs of porc french style - that's crackling discarded in the tray at the front (???)

There were lots of places to eat, of course, but we decided that the barbecue was the most interesting. A farmer from St Germain du Puch had brought along all his family to cook and serve their own produce - basically barbecued pork and fries washed down with lots of ok wine, and a crepe sucre to finish if one wished, and coffee. And who do we bump into just finishing their lunch as we arrived, but our favourite  brocante dealer and his wife . They were looking for bargains for their shop so I suppose we may see some familiar items in their window soon. We were greeted with two kisses so must have slipped into the category of good regular customers. I meant to take a photo of the chef at the  barbecue as I knew you would all love him. He was an old guy in a black leather biker jacket with a baseball cap worn backwards and sunglasses on his head. His face was quite weathered and he kept a cigarette in his mouth while grumbling the entire time . This was only day three – it’s going to be a long week for him.

toy pedal car

sitting on Marilyn ?

I'd love this as a planter

gorgeous little stone chickens

a bit of everything

I think it's a pedal boat ?

don't know how old this is,we think the wheel guards are bamboo 

another use for a bath

what every home needs 

I really wanted this coquerel, but Graham said no as he would have to steal it from the monument - too heavy ?

You can find anything here - books, toys,  old bikes, stuffed animals, fine silverware, paintings, furniture both antique and modern vintage, posters, glassware, furs and vintage clothes – even cars. By the time we left four hours later it felt like everyone in Bordeaux had arrived.

naturally everyone brings their dogs

  

no it's not real, but what a strange place to keep your toy dog !

Our conclusion - we’ve decided it’s like the Marché aux Puces at Clignancourt in Paris, but not quite so grand, if you’ve been there. Great fun and lots to see and buy, if you’re allowed.

not a happy face - and seven more days to go 

Bonne semaine mes amis

and don't miss part two