Patina, coffee, and charm: French flea markets
If you have ever visited one of the countless French flea markets or small antique shops found all over the South of France, you know that this is not just a small flea market, but a lifestyle where French vintage and French antiques play a completely natural role.
One of the things that fascinates us about these markets is the difference between the French and Danish approach to second-hand goods. In Denmark, second-hand is often something we do with "care" – we declutter, drop things off at a thrift store, and think very much in terms of functionality and minimalism.
In France, it is something completely different. Here, brocante is a lifestyle and a natural part of everyday life. The French are rarely in a hurry to get rid of things – they live with their furniture, pictures, old mirrors, and trinkets in large quantities for decades, and when they sell them on, it is often because something new has arrived, not because the old has become worthless. And the "new" that arrives can easily be something old – a brocante find from another home that gets a new life in a new environment. This is the essence of French antiques – the story simply continues in a new context.
There is a deep respect for the craftsmanship and the history behind every item. An old, rusty Phillips screwdriver or a door handle can easily be given new life. There is no reason to throw it away. Perhaps a slightly far-fetched example, but in the intersection between the Nordic aesthetic, timeless approach and the French vintage with patina and soul, there are many beautiful objects.
What does brocante mean?
The word comes from French and covers French vintage, French antiques, and rare, old finds with patina and history. It is not just about buying something old – it is about finding objects with soul, style, and a history that can be brought back to life.
But isn't brocante just another word for vintage? Brocante is also vintage and brocante is also antiques. Antiques are a bit easier to define, as an item is only considered an antique when it has turned 100 years old and at the same time has a high collector or investment value.
Brocante markets
There is a big difference between markets in France – there are professional markets in various forms and then there are local vide greniers (attic sales).
The professional markets have set dates and are not cancelled due to bad weather. One of the largest is Braderie de Lille, which is the largest in Europe and is held the first weekend in September.
When they are held, buyers come from all over the world; you get up early, strap on a headlamp, and race around to secure the good buys. Those are not the ones we go to!
We go to the local markets (vide greniers) and visit the local brocanteurs. So, when people say that the best finds are made early in the morning – that that is where the magic happens – the truth is different in our area. There are very few places where there is anyone to be found before 8 am – and preferably a bit after 9, because in Southwest France, people don't get up early, and they love their morning coffee just as much as we do.
Our magic arises in the atmosphere at the local markets. It has something very special – often the market is part of a larger setup where the whole town has had a communal dinner and party the day before. There is the scent of hot, freshly brewed coffee, sausages on the grill, freshly baked croissants, and slightly hungover, but curious, French people. The latter is probably also because we are Danish.
Brocante finds - how we find them
When we go to markets, we look for things that we would use in our own interior design. Yes – that might be a bit hard to imagine when living in a semi-construction site :) The items should have character, original patina, and tell the story of French vintage and French antique design traditions. E.g., our confit pots.
It sometimes takes time and patience to find the cool things, and there can be markets where we don't find anything at all. Then we look each other in the eyes, toss 1 euro for a cup of coffee, and head off to the next market. There are markets where there are junk boxes galore, and after digging around for a long time, you find something – or markets where you meet some of the same brocanteurs who have set a little something aside for you. So it is not just about luck, but also to a great extent about good relationships, a keen eye, time, and a little charm.
Patience! This also comes into play because, in our area, the personal relationship is almost more important than your paying for the item. That you have respect for the history that follows, that you are willing to listen, and that you genuinely like what you are buying, means a lot to the French. Many are collectors and have quite significant quantities of the special items they sell. Once you get an opening, you can make some fantastic purchases.
In addition, there are also a lot of smaller brocante shops, farms, barns, or whatever you want to call them. You can also find some really good things there – again, if you have a little patience, because not everyone is set up like a store. Sometimes you have to search for a very long time to find gold, because the French don't throw anything away :)
Brocante on Smallegade, Frederiksberg – our shop
Our shop on Smallegade in Frederiksberg is a little mecca for everyone who loves French brocante, French antiques, and French vintage.
Stop by and experience the atmosphere – or you can, of course, just shop in our webshop. We try to upload most products, but if you are looking for something very specific that you cannot find, send us an email. Since we live in the South of France, we also have the opportunity to go hunting for it.
