Shopping, Eating and Exploring

Come along with me and discover some off-the beaten paths in Southwest France

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Antiques in France.


Plans are being made for two new trips to France! The first will be May 10th till the 21st. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the Southwest of France. Vineyards are at the earliest stages of growth, the red poppies and wild flowers are blooming, the special strawberries that only grow in the Dordogne are available in May. Best of all, there are three holidays, and that mean extra brocante (antique) fairs!

Last years trip in September was a lot of fun, and with a lot of shopping. We visited vide greniers, foires a la brocante, brocante shops, and antique shops. A vide grenier, is literally, "empty out the attic". Many villages have these once a year. They run from simple village wide garage type sales, to more elaborate fetes with childrens rides, entertainment, dancing and of course food. These are the places to find really great bargins.

The spring trip promises more of the same, with a visit to St. Jean de Luz, on the coast near the Spanish border for a special market located in the Basque town of Aheteze. This trip is always a lot of fun, St Jean de Luz is best know for the marriage of Marie-Therese of Spain (age 14) to the future King of France. It also has wonderful beach side resturants with great seafood. Nearby towns are Biarritz and Bayonne. (famous for the first chocolate production inFrance, ham, and espadrills)

More details will be available shortly, and you can contact me by email.

1 comment:

bbissell said...

Je suis desole. I want so much to be joining you this Spring but,(with a french shrug) C'est La Vie!

Perhaps, next Spring. I will be toasting you back here in the States.

Amor,

Beth