French Fairs

Most of the exhibitors at the spring edition of the biannual antiques fair held in the enchanting antiques-laden Provençal town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue come from the south of France with a couple from Italy and Belgium.

A trip to France before Christmas to buy unusual gifts is always a good plan. Here are three antiques and vintage brocantes to visit: two well-known weeklies in Paris and a biannual event in Bordeaux.

France remains one of the most popular holiday destinations for UK residents. If you want to combine an antiques/vintage buying trip with a holiday in either Provence or the Haute-Savoie this month, then a visit to two of the regions’ most attractive towns might feature high on the itinerary.

MADAM – I feel compelled to write and let ATG’s readers know about my experience at the recent Grande Braderie de Lille (2-3 September).

If you want to see some impressive room sets, then the biannual Foire de Chatou, 15km from Paris and held on the banks of the River Seine, is the place.

Christophe Richème likes to mix periods and styles: a Napoleonic bridal vase sits alongside a 1970s shop display cabinet in his shop Pele-Mele Antiquités in Montmorot Lons-Le-Saunier in the Jura region.

Evelyne and Paul Khormaian are shown in front of their stand, which was packed with French kitchenalia and, in particular, domestic antique and vintage irons and clothes-pressing items.

Shown standing in front of a tall 18th century oak encoignure priced at €10,000 in his ‘stage-set’ stand is Philippe Renard.

French 20th century ceramics are Philippe Chapeau’s speciality and this piscatorial platter by Robert Picault (1919- 2000) was for sale at Chatou priced at €1400.

Normandy-based Alicia de Rollond is the daughter of dealers, and she trades in French country-style brocante.

Christine Trémoulet sells ‘batteries de cuisine’. The range of copper pots, pans and tools used in professional kitchens include these late 18th/19th century shining copper moulds she supplies to some of France’s top chefs including Alain Ducasse and Michel Guérard.

Claudie Ferré, shown reflected in the table mirror on her brightly-lit stand, sells lighting from the Art Deco period to the 1970s, many by German designers.

French industrial furniture has a strong presence at this fair.

A day out at France’s largest brocante and the return of classic chic with a contemporary twist...