Brocantes- One of my Favorite Activities in France Besides Local Markets

Brocantes – one of my favorite ways to while away a morning on a summer weekend. Every first Sunday of the month, Angers has an antiquities brocante held in the shadow of the Château. We had a wonderful time exploring each of the stalls.

If by chance you see a sign for a brocante or a vide grenier, stop and have a look. Brocantes usually have more antiquities than vide greniers. A vide grenier is pretty much just as it translates: “clear the attic” so they are often a mix of virtually everything.

Making a New Friend

The city closed the parking area next to the château for the vendors to set up their stalls. We had the pleasure of meeting one of the vendors who initially thought we were British. Upon discovering we were from the States, she immediately launched into a conversation with us.

Because it was expected to be hot, we thought the vendors would be set up by 8……maybe not.

It seems she had lived in Quebec for a year at age 20 but during that time had taken many little trips to various points in the US. She clearly had very fond memories of her time touring around. I had smiled as her speech laced her speech here and there with an English word instead of the French word.

She has a stall at various markets in the Loire Valley and when comparing notes, we found that she was at the brocantes in both Montsoreau and Langeais last October when we were there. What a small world!

Exploring the Brocante Along rue Toussaint

There are many brocantes scattered throughout this region (and probably all of France) but without a car, we must be satisfied with this one brocante.

The brocante stretched toward the center of town along rue Toussaint. At first I thought that the vendors next to the Château had the primier location but as the morning grew hotter, I think these vendors on Toussaint had the advantage because the shade.

There is so much to look at and all the vendors were happy to explain if something had a particular historical significance. This little painted bowl (faience) from Brittany is still sold today. On the side of the bowl, is a name, so as a child you might have a bowl like this with your name on it.

I would love to have this little wooden wagon! Just imagine the fun some child or children had with it. Unfortunately it won’t fit in my suitcase.

This teddy bear clearly received much love. It made me think of the story of the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

And should you want to repair the little teddy bear, there was a box of thread and elastic thread (fil élastique).

Voltaire! and more Voltaire! One of these tomes is number 91 so imagine if you could find the whole set!

These children’s books had lovely illustrations.

If I thought there was a way to bring one of these copper pots home, I would have purchased it. They are truly lovely and would look great holding kindling on the hearth!

One last look back at the brocante before heading into the centre ville for lunch. What a wonderful time we had!