Provence Brocante Markets...Here We Come!

Photography by Dierk Schaefer (everystockphoto.com)

For anyone traveling to Provence to shop the Brocante Markets, here are a few notes I've collected regarding the markets:

1. Vendors will assume that you will ask for a discount. At most markets, shoot for 25 - 30% off of offered or marked price - settle for 15 - 20%.  Do not ask for an additional discount after the first discounted offer is made by the vendor.
2. Shoot for 25 - 30% off EXCEPT for L'Isle sur-la-Sorgue where 10% off the offered price is probably more realistic
3. CASH!
4. Arrive NO LATER than 8:00 a.m. (especially for L'Isle sur-la-Sorgue)
5. Let the vendor know that the item(s) being purchased is/are for export and ask if you can be exempt from the VAT (Value Added Tax)
6. MUST BUY PUBLICATIONS:
1. "Antiquities Brocante" - Buy this publication when you arrive in France. This publication lists the best Brocante markets occurring that month.
2. Flea Markets of France by Sandy Price

 

 Here's a list of the Brocante/Flea Markets within driving distance of the Avignon area where we'll stay during our trip to Provence:

Thursday Markets: April 28, 2011

1. Orange - Brocante/Flea Market - Cour A. Brians
2. Aix-en-Provence - Brocante/Flea Market - Place Verdum
3. Antibes Juan-les-Pins - Brocante - Place Audiberti, Between the Porte Marine and the Place Massena

Friday Markets: April 29, 2011

1. Bououris - Brocante
2. Nice - Brocante, Antiquities - Place Rabiliante
3. Cagnes-sur-Mer - Brocante - Avenue des Oliviers
4. Frejus-Brocante
5. Gareoult-Brocante 
6. Menton - Brocante
7. Toulon - Brocante-Place Du Theatre

           Note: Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Known for their wines!)

Saturday Markets: April 30, 2011

1. Villeneuve-les-Avignon’s Marche d la Brocante “New City of Avignon” – From what I’ve read, this market is less expensive than the Avignon market and just across the river. Address: Located in the Lanquendoc Region on Place du Marche along the Avenue de Verdum. Times: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Look for: quilts, monogrammed towels, etc. **This market is one of the favorites of Sandy Price – it is listed as one of her 10 favorite markets in France.  Sandy wrote the book Flea Markets of France.
2. Aix-en-Provence - Flea market - Place Verdun. Mornings, a big market, one of the best, and Provence Beyond’s favorite.   
3. Lancon-Provence – (Very big Market)
4. LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH – Saint Cyr-sur-Mer- Brocante ALL DAY
5. Nice – Brocante-Antiquities, Place Rabiliante, Port
6. Isle sur la Sorgue - Antiques - Held throughout the town, by the Gare (Plan for Sunday)
7. Isle sur la Sorgue – Brocante, IiIsle aux Brocanteurs (Plan for Sunday)
8. St-Tropez - Flea market - Place des Lices
9. Antibes Juan-les-Pins, Brocante, Place Audiberti
10. Boulouris –Brocante
11. Cannes – Brocante, Les Allees
12. Frejus – Brocante, Port
13. Gardanne – Brocante
14. Marseille – Brocante, Avenue Cap-Pinede
15. Mornas – Brocante
16. Saint Cannat – Brocante
17. Saint Raphael – Brocante de Boulouris
18. Saint Tropez – Brocante, Place des Lices  
19. Toulon – Brocante

Sunday Markets, May 1, 2011

1. L’Isle sur-la-Sorgue – From everything I’ve read, this rates as the BEST market in Provence (But perhaps the most expensive.) Address: Avenue des Quatres Otages – 30 miles from St. Remy de Provence.
2. Carpentras Market – In the region of Vauclue (1) hour from Saint-Remy-de-Provence
3. Aix-en-Provence - Antique book market - Place Mairie (first Sun of each month)
4. Avignon - Flea market - Place des Carmes
5. Marseille - Brocante - Avenue du Cap-Pinède
6. Lancon-Provence (Very Large Brocante)
7. Coustellet – Brocante
8. Gardanne – Brocante
9. Jonquieres- Brocante
10. Mornas – Brocante
11. Saint Cannat - Brocante
12. Seyne-sur-Mer – Brocante – Z.I. Camp Laurent
13. Toulon – Brocante –Q. St. Musse
14. Villefranche-sur-Mer – Brocante
15. Villeneuve-Loubet – Brocante

So the list of Brocantes for Monday and Tuesday are a little bit shorter than the weekend but you get the picture!  So many Brocantes.................too little time! I'm looking forward to deciding which market to go to first each day. I may only have time for one each day, especially if they have a  lot of good vendors and great treasures. I can't wait!

Au revoir, Mitty