MIAM

MIAM

Monday 1 September 2014

Beaucoup de Bargains

French junk is trés chic, n'est pas?  And what with all the telly programmes of late showing us what and how to buy over there I was dying to see what I could score without spending too much dosh, whilst on my recent holiday.  I googled the local tourist office before leaving home to see if there were any flea markets in our area while we were there, but didn't have much luck with that.  However, upon arrival into the area I spied a Brocante, so one day when the weather wasn't all that, we headed off.  Major disappointment... it was so expensive!  I had my eye on a pastis bottle but the price at this establishment was  €19. What???  The shop owner, a miserable bastard saw my camera, put his palm in my face and said 'Non!'.  I still had the lens cap on!  Suffice to say we did not stop long.  Fortunately I'd also asked the local bar owner if there were any junky type Brocantes nearby and she recommended this place. 


After M'sieur Grumpy Bollocks Thierry was an absolute delight.  A very affable chap who, when asked if it was OK to take pictures, stretched his arms wide and replied 'bien sûr'.

Thierry's was a veritable Aladdin's cave with stuff in several outbuildings and canvas awnings.


If religious statuary is your thing, there's loads of it knocking about in France.

Here's what I bought.
 
two glasses, embroidered table runner, wooden peg rail, religious statue- €10 the lot.

 I didn't have the heart to haggle as he was such a nice bloke and I thought €10 was reasonable.  The next day we were up early and off to a couple of Vide Greniers I'd seen advertised earlier in the week, where I managed to snaffle a rustic saucepan rack/shelf and a lovely pastis bottle for 50 centimes!
 
( The glass was an early birthday present from my brother and SIL.)



More glasses were bought at a Brocante event at St Cyr en Talmondais, a neighbouring village
 
together with a rusty pitchfork head, that I've yet to find a home for
 
set of glasses and fork - €1 each

.....and a few more bits besides.





 

The day before we came home I dragged Dad back to Thierry's, bought more glasses and this fabulous 1972 film poster, total cost €5.


 
So buying in France doesn't have to be expensive, there are bargains to be found, you have to keep looking......I reckon rural areas are better.  Any of you have tips for vintage shopping in France?
 Me, I can't wait to go back.

13 comments:

  1. Score!!! Didn't you do well? That film poster alone would be enough to get me on the next ferry over the channel, its bastard amazing! xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cool scores Fiona! Now, I have seen those rusty fork heads used as necklace holders but it might not be quite the look you were after.
    I'd love a rummage in those places. xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. French junk has so much more style than ours :-) I love what you got and especially the pastis items and the poster, I've scored a big London map book this week for £1 which I'm really pleased with...intending to use cute up for backgrounds sometime or little ikea chest drawer fronts, your items are so much more impressive 😀. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. French junk has so much more style than ours :-) I love what you got and especially the pastis items and the poster, I've scored a big London map book this week for £1 which I'm really pleased with...intending to use cute up for backgrounds sometime or little ikea chest drawer fronts, your items are so much more impressive 😀. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. You found some wonderful things, Fiona - all those delicious glasses, and hurray, you got your bargain pastis bottle! Makes up for the initial run-in with M. Misery... Love the poster too. A couple of sellers I know on Chesterfield market regularly head to France on buying trips and pick up all sorts of amazing stuff. Don't know their secrets, I'm afraid, but they do go regularly, and it's clearly worth their while as traders to make the trip. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can't wait to see what you do with the fork!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love it all … except for the miserable bastard … I bet even his mother finds him hard to love ;0)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. I want to know how you planned to explain the pitchfork head should you have got challenged by customs!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I don't know what the secret is, but you seem to be in the know yourself with all those bargains. I would say having fun and finding treasures is a result. We got a few NONS ourselves!! X

    ReplyDelete
  10. oh my word Fiona, your holiday pics are just fabulous! Want to be back there now! Really enjoyed having a read through, love France too, always feel sad when we leave. You did well at the Vides! Especially like your glasses. And figs in the garden? My idea of heaven xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fabulous bargains, Fiona! And how I snickered when I read that you got the pastis bottle for 50 cents - up yours, Mr Nineteen Bloody Euros!!!

    ReplyDelete

Please drop me a line if you've time!