Explore The French Brocantes

Explore The French Brocantes

by | Feb 25, 2024 | Travel

Exploring brocantes and antique fairs in France is a wonderful way to discover unique and vintage treasures. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your experience: We hope to time our events around our local. And sometimes lesser known Brocantes. But exploring the larger trade fairs in Avignon , Montpellier and some of the regular City markets is also on our agenda. Timing is key: Brocantes and antique fairs can vary in size and popularity, so be sure to check if the event you’re interested in is well-known or relatively small. Arriving early in the morning on the first day of an event generally gives you the best pick of items, but if you’re looking for bargains, visiting towards the end of an event when sellers may be more willing to negotiate prices is also a good option. 3. Bring cash: Many brocante sellers may not have facilities to accept credit or debit cards, so it’s essential to carry cash. Consider bringing smaller bills and coins as well to make transactions easier. 4. Negotiate politely: Bargaining is common practice at brocantes and antique fairs in France. Before negotiating, take the time to inspect the item, check its condition, and compare prices with other stalls. Politely ask the seller for a lower price and be prepared to negotiate until both parties agree on a reasonable amount. 5. Bring necessary tools: If you are specifically looking for antique furniture, art, or other large items, consider bringing measuring tape, a magnifying glass, or a flashlight to examine the objects closely. 6. Explore beyond popular destinations: While brocantes and...
My Secret Hideaway

My Secret Hideaway

by | Aug 6, 2015 | Travel

I live between the South of France and Byron Bay NSW Australia. I have worked as a decorator/ stylist in some capacity for over 35 years now. I love what I do. I recently closed my store in the UK mainly due to wanting time to write and travel. This I am achieving, though I do miss having that set to fiddle with and titivate. In a perfect world I would love to do up a beautiful Chateau here in France using authentic materials and working with genuinely talented craftsmen. We have a great team here and I am constantly researching salvage and building materials as well as antiques, decorative items and limewash paints. I have worked a lot out of India and I adore working with the crafts people there, on the factory floor, starting with an idea and watching it become something beautiful, every step of the way. I am not a person who can acquire things off the internet…I have to feel the texture, see the detail, watch the movement. I need to feel the spirit in things because, I believe, it is the passion, involved in the making of beauty, that transposes itself into a client’s home and creates harmony by a form of osmosis. Too much plastic and instant gratification in the world today. Good things take time. Too much focus on the look and not the quality. But there is so much beauty in the world and so many unsung heroes with skill at there finger tips willing to work the detail into things. How does one teach people to LOOK LOOK LOOK!!!...