Monday, September 22, 2008

Brocante et depot ventes

Two of the first words I learned in French.
Brocante (vintage) is not an easy word to say.
When you don't pronounce that guttural air (R)
sound, the French have not a clue what your
talking about. More than once, I've gotten blank
stares from the locals when asking where I
could find brocante shops.


Photo courtesy Art et Decoration


The Depot Vente (similar to our consignment shops),
sell used product. It can be any type of second hand
product. Took me a while to learn that though.
Lots of dry runs pulling into used car lots when I
spotted those signs. I finally caught on.
They can be some of the best places to pick up
smalls.


Eventually you learn the ropes. You learn that "Vendu"
(Sold) is not someones last name and the correct way,
to say, "table de jeu". That is a whole nother story.
I've been lost in France more times than I can
count, although that is not a bad thing. However,
I can always find my way to L'Isle sur la Sorgue.
The best antiquing town in France. If your in
Provence it is a must!




Photos via Lisa-Antiquites

While your there, be sure to visit Lisa-Antiquites'.
A collection of fabulous French antiques and
Brocante, all with that "to die for" patina.





L'Isle sur la Sorgue is a picturesque village and an
antique lover's paradise. There is a market every
Sunday.
If you don't make it to France and your this side
of the pond, perhaps you can come to Kentucky.
I promise you will feel as though your in France.





These are a few of my French finds.
Architectural pieces, religious artifacts, paper bound
books, zinc wine cask labels and of course, the bust!



Boulangerie baskets, grain sacks, demi-johns and all
those wonderful Country French accessories.

Artist boxes, pottery, hanging pot racks and roosters.


Bergeres, antique mirrors, patisserie tables, absinthe glasses and signs.


Tole trays, mannequins, rustic buffets, bamboo, armoires
and sconces.

More roosters, more chairs, vaisseliers and all
things country!
Really would love to meet you some day!

Bisou mes amis!

28 comments:

LiLi M. said...

Hi, I'm flea marketing since I was 12, but I was never lucky finding bargains in France. Either I arrive at a tourist market (which is even more expensive than here) or la foire de brocante is next week, when we are home already or yesterday, when we didn't arrive yet. The saddest story must be that we were leaving a village in the Morvan, an area that I don't like that much, at that moment we went through a village where there was a vide grenier, that very day, everybody was sitting outside with their terrific bargains, but my husband wouldn't stop with our car packed to the top and us heading for home.
At number 2; Nowadays I check the internet to avoid such disasters. So I planned a flea market visit en route. There were almost the same sellers as I had seen at a market 200 kms down the Loire. When arriving at the final destination the villagers where just leaving their spots, yep there had been a vide grenier there too.
Luckily I can feast my eyes on your photo's and dream.
(I can recommend Belgium though as a place to find the best bargains!

Villa Anna said...

Merci Shawnie for another perfect post! I swear I don't think I could live without your blog it makes me so happy lol. At the same time it's torture as I feel so desperate to just take off and travel to Provence and the world for that matter and then reality sets in. I just keep telling myself someday Anna you'll get there. I was in Paris only last year, I must remain grateful.

Anna :)

Anonymous said...

O.k I have to stop visiting your blog, for everytime I do, I change something in my house, my poor family thinks I am nuts!!! Lets see if I can stay away for a day, NOT!!!! Chrissy

KarenB said...

Ohhh, I would love one of those demi-johns. Could I mail it to California?

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

Shawn, I love all the images you've included, esp. the first one!!

Anonymous said...

Cara Shawn,

Mamma Mia! You must have the nose of a truffle dog. I´m stunned. You seem to hoover the French market. Amazing! Now I see how you can fill your shop w all those lovely objects & accents. And your photo. Appetizing as always! Complimenti! Bacione, Ingrid

vicki archer said...

We must have had the same thoughts this weekend!

L'Isle sur la Sorgue is one of my favourite towns and very close to where I live in southern France. I have given up with trying to sound French, for now ( forget the 'r' - impossible) I just have to content myself with remembering the vocab and trying to make some sense.
Lovely images.

Millie said...

Just lovely Shawn! Have to admit I just love the architectural garden pieces the most - la résistance est inutile!!
Millie ^_^

Love Your Homes said...

Dear Shawn, how lovely isn't to join your trip on this post. My world would end without antiques and brocantes, c'est la vie ...ma vie, Ingela

Di Overton said...

I haunt all the Depot Ventes when I am in France and have visited L'Isle sur la Sorgue only once but still have the goodies I bought there.
Fabulous post as ever!

Free Art Printables said...

oh wow. What fabulous things! I would love to get to France some time and check out the goodies! I love going to England and looking in charity shops there! France would be awesome.

Poppins said...

I just found my way to you through Italian Girl in Georgia and I am thrilled about your lovely blog and photos. On my way to Normandy next week, I will look after Brocante...

Whitney said...

I love your blog. I want one of everything on here. We must be kindred decor spirits.

Stacey said...

Oh my- What lovely finds! I was wondering about how to register on your sales site... I am particularly interested in knowing the prices of the zinc wine cask labels as well as the mannequin. Additionally, the other signs you photographed look intriguing as well. Will these items be available on your website?

Lilla Blanka said...

Hi!

Thanks for yet another stunning post! I fallin love with all these beautiful things...every time :)

Have a great day!
Mia

Suzanne MacCrone Rogers • Italian Girl in Georgia™ said...

OK, Missy, how much is that gorgeous scroll wrought iron and marble top table? My Mom has one just like it and I keep asking her if she is tired of it yet! Yours is gorgeous too! I do need SOME excuse to drive to Kentucky, don't I?

Suzanne ;)

MARIA said...

Shawn, I have fallen in love with "La Petite Bouffe" ( and all rest as well as usual). What do I do? It is clearly a must have. Is it big?
Maria

Bethany said...

Oooooh I have so missed coming by your feast for the eyes and imagination!! Such gorgeousness in every photo!!
Thank you for this most lovely start to my day...I am impressed, inspired and tickled by your tales of learning the "lingo" !
:)

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

This is a wonderful post. I really enjoyed reading it and looking at the beautiful pictures.

Anonymous said...

Bonjour, ton blog est magnifique, c'est toujours un vrai bonheur de le visiter! A bientôt...

Anonymous said...

I could look at the pictures in your blog postings over and over and over again, and most days I do look at them over, and over... well, you get the idea! Laurie

Blue Cottage said...

Hello,
I love your blog.
nice blog/photo's you have. I love France also.
I put you to my favorites so I can come back to see all your pictures.

Regards from Holland

Anonymous said...

ohhh my im sooo jealous.....I can't even begin to guess how many trips you have made to France! Someday I must come up to see you.

Thanks for the lovely post, you make my days alittle better every time I visit you blog.

Jenni B said...

Love, love, love the Cafe au Lait bowls. Thanks for posting all of your fun photos!

Sweetly,
Jenni B

charmaine said...

wow! never fails, another fabulous post. i just want to let you know that i have chosen you for a blog award. i received my first award this morning and i have to pass it on to 7 other blogs that i love. i chosed yours because your blog is always fabulous and just beautiful. i learn so much about french design from you. your blog is truly an inspiration. so, i hope that you accept this award,stop by my blog and see!

Visual Vamp said...

Ooo la la, I must go shopping and take French lessons with you! Or at least buy something on line from you!
Just a beautiful posting!!!
xo xo xo

Porchlight Interiors said...

What a fabulous life you must lead - just love all your gorgeous French finds! Wish Kentucky was closer! Tracey x

Di Overton said...

I am Depot Vente's biggest fan. I have found so many treasures in them. My daughter Charlotte, who lives in Paris, takes me to the best ones as she knows which area has the best selection.
I would love to meet you too, maybe we will someday be able to meet up in Paris as there are no buses run from my little hamlet to Kentucky :)