Like many people, I love to visit garage sales (in USA), car boot sales (in UK) or flea markets. Here in France they are called a ‘vide grenier’. It literally translates as ’empty attic’. But what makes them different then the American or UK counterpart is that the whole town or village participates making them not only a potential shopping experience, but so much more…
When and Where
The village determines a date, usually in late spring or early summer. Now and then there is a rogue vide grenier in early spring or even autumn. Sundays are the typical day, but don’t rule out Saturdays, or holidays. There are even some villages that have a regular monthly vide grenier.
Usually the entire village centre is shut down and everyone sets up the stuff they are looking to get rid of outside their house. Or, if they do not live in the village centre, they are given a marked space within. If you ever find yourself travelling through a village in France, look down and you will probably see the remnants of lines on the road designating old selling spaces.
Who is There
Most of the village participates, and usually there are professional sellers too. The stall lined streets are shut down to all but pedestrians. There will be food tents and sometimes games or rides for the kids. It becomes very much like a carnival atmosphere.
Often a vide grenier can have over 100 participants, which translates into many hours of happy wandering and shopping. A good portion of the reason I love having My Shop is having an excuse to go to these events and search for vintage and antique items. Each visit always promises the possibility to find something truly unique and/or especially French.
What is There
So, like a yard or car boot sale there are a lot of people getting rid of their unwanted stuff. But before you sniff at the potential ‘junk’ – this is France. What is junk to someone French truly can be a treasure to you or I. Remember, the French prefer quality over quantity, so treasure hunting is real at a vide grenier.
There will be everything there from old and new tools to furniture to sewing notions to the weirdly wonderful antiques. And clothes, especially baby or kids clothes. Honestly you would never have to shop for children’s clothes at all in France. They sell by the age, and usually in bulk, so for one euro you could have a year’s worth of outfits for your child. I can guarantee you will spot something that will surprise you, or that you have never seen before amongst the day to day of life’s needs and wants.
Shop ’til You Drop
I adore that a vide grenier gives me a ready excuse to shop ‘til I drop. Also though, there is the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of a little village, possibly never seen before, and a chance to talk with locals. Haggle if you are so inclined. (Yes it’s acceptable, though not everyone is used to it.) And of course practise your French, even if it is only Bonjour. After all, there is always the point at it method. I do recommend learning, if nothing else, ‘combien’ or ‘how much’. If you look blankly at the answer, typically people will show you the number of fingers for numbers or write it down. They might even practise their English.
If you are coming to France and would like to visit a Vide Grenier, there are a couple of very good websites, listed and linked below, to find when and where they happen, as well as size of it. The also have helpful maps so you can see what is near where you are staying. And note – check up on the weather. Rain can cancel a vide grenier at a moment’s notice.
Enjoy! A vide grenier is truly an aspect of French life worth participating in. Unique, fun and very, very French.
More French Stuff
If you enjoy my insights or musings into life in France, do check out my French Findings for more.
If you like what you read, consider nourishing Pumpjack & Piddlewick, there are a myriad of ways including buying me a coffee (that little coffee cup to the bottom right) or take a browse of my Pumpjack & Piddlewick shop (where you might find a few of my own vide grenier finds). Here’s a sampling below, as well as a few of my own designs.
Simply click on an image to see more.