Up early this morning and dashed out to a village ‘vide-grenier’… it’s a type of garage sale, but instead of just one household selling their wares on the street, it’s a whole village full! If you’ve never been to one, they are just brilliant and full of potential treasure – and trash (as many would say!).
I’ve got to say I’m a little hooked and it’s one of those rare mornings where I’m ready to spring out of bed at 6am. There’s even get a slight adrenaline rush as I jostle for a car park close to the sectioned-off streets and head towards the first stand displaying its wares. I’m on a mission – my purse is heavy with coins and my chest is literally bursting with excitement. Sicko, you might say. But really! Vide-greniers (this translates as ’empty the attic’) offer all sorts of wonderful objects. And hey it’s in France, so for me that makes it totally exotic (mind you, being far from home, kangaroos and gums are also completely exotic for me now). It’s not everyday you can buy the old scribbled-in picture books from the elderly monsieur’s childhood collection, or the 60s flowery frock from Madame’s hand-me -downs. I’ve even picked up a whopping Le Creuset cast iron pot for 8 Euros (now this find was in the half-dark it was so early and I had a torch!). Mmmn, a post on vide grenier treasures will follow!
These ‘village garage sales’ are held on weekends (Sunday is the big day for our region)and start from around 8am, with people beginning to pack up around 4pm. But if you want to find the ‘better’ stuff and real bargains, it’s best to head out as early as 7am (ie 8 Euro cookpot) – the time where you’ll rub shoulders with the ‘professionals’ already out for the hunt.
Here’s a few pics of some local vide greniers to whet the appetite for some…
Today the weather has been pretty dire, so I headed out early and came home early (it has been raining much of this weekend – not something we’re needing when it is already difficult to access the vineyards by tractor, we’re hoping the forecast for heat for this week dries everything up).
I came home with a few postcards amongst my finds.
This first one, above, was actually written (from the 60s?) on today’s date!?! Woh!
But have a look at these beauties…
…and on the above theme,
But I do love a pretty card too.
The Vigneron's Wife 
Great photos again . But what will your house be like when you’re an old lady with 530000 bonkers postcards covering every flat surface ?
Funny you mention that Bill, that’s exactly Benji’s fear!
…but a few lucky people do receive these charming pics, helps reduce the load.
I love collecting postcards …I particularly like the first one of the french provencial market. I love markets and boot fairs (which we have here in England to get rid of unwanted clutter). When we holiday in France we always find out where the local markets are and visit almost on a daily basis..just love the atmosphere, the smell of fresh bread, spices, olives pissaladerie etc…and of course the french characters that frequent the benches puffing away whilst passing the time of day!!
Thanks Jill, I’m not alone!
It’s great to hear you love them all too Jill! – and a daily basis sounds just perfect to me! It is such a lovely way to pass the time, buying great local products and doing some AMAZING people watching.
Did you see my other market photos? In case you didn’t! – https://thevigneronswife.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/to-market-to-market-part-1-2/
xo
Empty the attic! Kat, I would just love to go on a treasure hunting expedition with you – it looks amazing. Take some more pics please, and send me any surplus postcards.
Caroline xx