By the sea... and closer to home.

When we plan our weekend, I am often tempted to strike-out a bit farther than usual to find a town or a brocante that is off the beaten path of the towns that surround us. 

I am particularly taken by the description and size of the potential sales in the calendar listings.... such as a "brocante" means vintage or antique, "vide-grenier" means vintage or antique with a mix of anything goes...and "foire a toute" means anything goes and if you are really, really lucky--you might find a vintage treasure.

So when I saw the listing categorized as a 'brocante' in Langrune Sur Mer on Sunday with 170 potential vendors--they had me a brocante (vintage!) 170---wow! and of course 'sur mer'--by the sea!!

Well.  Okay. Look at 'Petite Fille'.  Does she look skeptical?  She is a smart little monkey--even at 18 months--because in Langrune Sur Mer--which is over an hours drive from our home---there were about 4 vintage dealers at this sale.....FOUR---Of about 30 'vendors' selling everything you could imagine (hey--we did get a baby-gate and a wake-board for the boys!)...But sadly, legitimate vintage sellers were scarce.

The drive was lovely, however.  And we didn't get rained on.  Win. Win.

 

And on the way home we stopped in a small town called Touques... about 10 minutes from home... a regular Sunday brocante... of 25 vendors who we have come to know (and love!)

 And the discovery and meeting of a NEW dealer...who has a tiny and very exclusive little shop... and in the back garden I spotted a rusty and gorgeous.....

 ... a lovely, rusty... and apparently forgotten....

.... 19th century bird cage!  It is so beautiful!  I was smitten---and brought it home--can't wait to post pictures....  Next weekend we have been invited back to this shop to have some champagne and spend more time with the owner of the shop and see more of what he has---hidden away!

Lesson to be learned?  Look far...but always expect to find the best....closest to home!

More pictures soon!  And some exciting new listings at the shop!

Bonne semaine mes amis!  Hope you had a great weekend!