Chateau Colombier » antiques

Depot de brocante

clare — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:12:39 +0000

I just loving browsing brocante stores and bagging bargains. Le Colombier is so huge that I don’t think I shall ever get to the point where I have to declutter fortunately – the house just seems to swallow up items! There’s a great place just down the road towards Les Pilles (Le Depot Vente) where I’ve spent many a happy hour. I’ve bought items that range from huge pieces of furniture to a wonderful jug painted to ressemble a cockerel which I gave to Sue (since she acquired chickens in England her decor now has a very definite poultry motif).

There are, of course, many other local brocantes – a huge one in Valreas which has loads of furniture and also some lovely lace and materials – and a smaller one in St Maurice which I haven’t actually visited but drive past often. Outside there are always an attractive bench and a very ancient looking pram – and, when I say always, I mean for the last few years, at least! Not sure whether they are advertising props or the owner just can’t shift them!

And all the local villages will have their own Vide Grenier (literally – empty the attics, or what we’d call a car boot sale) at some time during the season, often accompanied by a concours de petanque, drinking of wine, and making merry.

For the more serious antique hunters you must visit L’Isle sur La Sorgue – a town of antique shops, with regular antique fairs and specialist markets.

Generally pieces are more expensive than in England but you can find bargains if you’re prepared to spend some time hunting – and, naturally, indulge in some spirited haggling!

Interested in antiques? Date for the diary.

clare — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:43:11 +0000

For a great day out why not visit L’Isle sur la Sorgue which is well known for its Sunday morning antique market. Twice a year at Easter and in mid August it hosts an internationally renowned antique fair. From April 22nd to the 25th this year over 300 local and visiting antique and flea market merchants will congregate in this picturesque Vaucluse town. The town is situated on an island between 2 arms of the Sorgue river which is a branch of the Rhone.
Whether you are a serious antiques connaisseur or just a casual collecter of ‘brocante’ this is an occasion not to be missed!

Markets

clare — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:33:00 +0000

The Saturday Times last year declared Nyons market to be the best in France. Every Thursday morning. And there are often specialist Sunday markets – crafts, brocantes, books etc.

Look out also for the evening markets in the summer time in the villages around. And you’ll find an abundance of “Vide-Grenier” (literally, empty the attics – what we’d call a car boot sale) village sales over the summer. It’s worth getting there early for the bargains.

If you can’t make the Thursday market, here are some of the other ones around.

Monday
La Motte Chalancon (july and august)

Tuesday
Crest, Grignan, Vaison

Wednesday
Buis les Baronnies, Remuzat

Friday
Dieulefit, Taulignan, Visan

Saturday
Buis les Baronnies, Montbrun les Bains

Flea Markets and Brocantes:
Art market 1st Sunday of the month (Vaison)
Brocantes 3rd Sunday of the month (Vaison)

And Isle Sur la Sorgue is well known for its 160+ antique shops and regular markets; plus an extended easter antiques market