There’s a french market, then there’s a french market….

Stuff !

Did you know that french markets have seasons ? There’s always the local produce market in each village all year round, but for vide grenier, brocante and specialty items it’s different.

and more stuff !

and there is always a rug dealer

now this is a kitchen table !

In summer there’s a vide grenier (empty the attic) and/or brocante (not quite antique) market every weekend somewhere near you – thousands of them. This is how the french , and the tourists, spend their sundays. As there is always food and drink on offer it can be a whole day out.

almost large enough to pot a tree

"industrial" is a very popular look

In autumn it’s more the specialty markets like stamps, coins and medals, or books, or car stuff - anything collectable. And for us, the twice yearly two week brocante market in Bordeaux at Place des Quinconces is special.

even something for the birds

In december and january it’s the christmas themed markets. Wonderful to visit in the evening when everything is lit up and there’s music, vin chaud (mulled wine) and fresh crepes and churros for a snack , and a meal on offer of course.

Linen

and more linen

silverware anyone ?

There is a village between us and Bordeaux where they just love a brocante market. Rauzan has the ruins of the old chateau to visit, and is surrounded by vineyards so typical of this area.

not the sort of menu you would see at a market in Australia -
Cépes omelette followed by a trilogy of crème brûlée,
or a pear poached in grand marnier

naked ladies and walking sticks - something for everyone

During winter in this town they do something unusual , they have a brocante market  every  sunday in the ‘shed’ behind the school. Winter flea markets are not common as who wants to go out in the cold and damp and tramp around the streets (or worse, in a field) to look at other people’s junk, so an indoor market is such a good idea. But twice a year in April and October, they have a super three day brocante fair with dealers from all over France. That’s when we go along just to enjoy seeing the beautiful, the unique, and sometimes the just plain strange – and that’s just the people.

And the french do love their dead animals. If you can't eat it then you can always stuff it.

is he still moving ?

Another glorious sunny autumn day in southwest France.  Why would you be anywhere else ?

amour à tous