Paul16

This Sunday at Ruffec in the hall next to the Intermarche there is a vide-grenier/bric-a-brac.. Plenty of stalls inside & outside.. 7am-5pm.

This is a nice Bric-a-Brac around the village with around 80-100 stalls especially knowing this weekend is going to be luverly. You get more non professionals to this one also lots of the villagers selling from their garages.. Picked up some nice furniture from here last time.. Poursac is less than 10 minutes from Verteuil..

This is the annual Brocante & Vide-grenier of the year and the biggest in the Charente.. Marsac dept 16 not far from Angouleme, with approx 600-700 stalls with traders selling a wide range of secondhand & collectable goods.. Make sure you are prepared as it is a big fair so bring your lunch, plenty of drinks and good footwear. Weather doesn't look to promising but don't let that put you off as the traders will still be there.. Get to the market early on Saturday morning as the close car parks do get full quickly and you can end up having a little walk.. Its a good day out sifting through loads of tat to find a bargain.. The only downside is you have to pay to get in around 3€.. Happy Hunting [:)]

We have a camp near us and if they moved on the local school would have to close as they have 5 attending, one more will start next year and there is another one on the way.. They have never caused any problem in the village..

Just to let you know if anyone is coming to Berthelat Parzac the music I have been told will start at around 2pm.. So if you got nothing to do come on over to their place..  Its Free

Rendez-vous aux jardins is a weekend when people open up their gardens.. There are loads in the Poitou Charentes over 100 here is a link for the website. http://www.poitou-charentes.culture.gouv.fr/pages/section6/jardins/fr/index.html A friend of mine is having a garden open day at Berthelat Parzac 16 Dept with a few extras.. They have a painting display, troc jardin, activities for the infants, buffet and you can be entertained with music from the folk band Black Pig.. This on the Sunday only between 10 am - 6 pm.  

Today at another wet Brocante/Vide-grenier I was approached by one of the local gendarmes who gave my wet stock a good looking over for a few minutes then asked if I was a professional which I replied Of course Monsieur Officer.. With a little look of disapointment he walked away then turned straight back asking me to produce my papers.. After I showed them to him and he pointed to me that the card was due to run out and I hadn't signed it which he gave me his pen (nice pen I thought I could get a few euro's for this) he then walked off with the usual Bonn Journee whilst looking up in the heavens and laughing at my wet stock... Anyway on a serious note this is the second time this year I have been approached and it is only April in the 4 years I have been doing this I have only been asked three time, having had a conversation the previous few weeks before with other British brocanteurs they had a similar experience, we all heard rumours they were going to start checking people who looked like a trader and regular faces they see stalling out so it seems as though it has started. OK here are the rules as I know it, you are only allowed two in your local department anymore then you could be classed as a proffessional, I doubt if the powers to be would really mind if you did a few more..  There are plenty of people, British, Dutch and worst the French who are out more than me every sat & sun and not registered it is these people who should be careful. "I am selling my own stuff from house" "I am sellling my lifes collection of Junk Officer" "I only come here to get out of the house" they have heard all these excuses before. Also I am registered to pay my taxes in the UK doesn't work either as someone found out last year at Marsac (16). All I am saying is be ready with a good excuse if they do pull you, normally the first time they just throw you off the site and tell you to get registered the second time I am not sure not heard of anyone who has been pulled twice Guillontine perhaps...[;-)] I hope this doesn't scare people away from having a stall at a Vide-grenier, these are fun to attend and to take a stall, a great way to support the local community, brush up on your French and drink red wine at 5 am in the morning [blink] If you want more info on having a stall at a Vide-grenier check this thread out..http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/918042/ShowPost.aspx and if you need anymore info just e-mail me.. Paul

If you fancy getting out of the house there is a Brocante with around 60-80 stalls at Le Roc next to Intermarche in Ruffec this Sunday 3rd Feb..Starts from 8,30 ish and ends around 5-6 ish..

There is a Brocante this Sunday 23rd Dec in the centre of Poitiers at the Place de Charles de Gaulle with around 50 stalls. It starts at around 8am til dark..

For those who wanted their details it is here.. http://www.brocantesfrance.com/advertising/secondechance/index1a.htm   Paul

They will buy items but it depends on the price go and see them and ask and if they don't want it put it on ebay (what you got ????) They are offering for people to put items for sale in the shop in which they will take a commission.. Like everywhere else times are hard in the Antiques Trade and opening a shop up is a risk but if you don't try then you don't know.. I will get their full details soon send you it..  

There is a new Brocante (antiques shop) opened up in Ruffec just down from Whiskey Galore in the old TIC Immobelier shop opposite the hotel.. They are open Wed-Sat 9.30-12.30 - 2.30-6.30 and will be having an official grand open day this Saturday 24th November. Rod & Val will most probably be in Tuesday this week to get things sorted so if your in Ruffec pop along.. They will be selling furniture, porcelain, glassware, pictures, books (English) etc etc etc..    

Another one for your diary is this weekend Sat 15th Sept-Sun 16th Sept. At Vindelle not far from the Marsac fair, this also boasts 700+ stalls. Entry 2,50.. This fair is much easier to navigate than Marsac as it is set up mainly in lines.. As usual best day is Saturday, bring plenty of fluids and good walking boots. Sunday is a quiet day but some people pop back in the afternoon to see if they can pick up some bargains.. On the Sunday there are quite a few other fairs to chose from..Check the website below.. Support your local Vide-greniers & Brocantes at http://www.brocantesfrance.com

A new list of markets for this month has been posted on http://www.brocantesfrance.com  

This is coming up on the 1st and 2nd September, this is one on the biggest that happens in the Charente area that has over 700 stalls selling everything from Antiques down to your once a year boot seller selling clothes & toys.. The Marsac is a good day out for all, the first day is the best day to get all the bargains so do what the French do, take a picnic, good walking boots, plenty of drinks and spend all day hunting out bargains.. Sunday is just as good as normally the sellers who have had a bad weekend what to get some money in and the ones who have had a good weekend just want to get rid of the rest of the stock.. Entry is 3 euros... Check out this website for more info and telephone numbers http://www.brocantesfrance.com

Thankyou very much your comments are appreciated..

This is an extra Brocante, Vide-grenier & Collections which is not on the normal date ie (Sat & Sun).. This one is on Monday 6th Aug at Segonzac (16) between 7am- 6pm at the Parc & Salles des Distilleries. The organiser said there will be around 60 stalls.. Also at on Sunday here is a small selection for you to go to: Ruffec (16) 150 stalls. Matha (17) 100+ stalls. L'Absie (79) 100+ stalls. Brux (86) 100+ stalls.. There is quite a big calender this weekend too many to list so to plan your Bootie weekend go to the web site. http://www.brocantesfrance.com Also remember Wed 15th August is bank holiday so lots on..  

My bruv in law has been quoted 5-6 weeks for this time of year and that is on reciept of payment.. But other areas could be different.

Here is a small list of Brocantes for the weekend.. There is too many to list here as it is a big weekend so we will be adding more to our website http://www.brocantesfrance.com later today.. Sorry we missed out last weekend and thanks for completefrance in letting us do this.. Charente 16 Sat 14th Londigny Brocante & vide-greniers (7h-19h). Place de l'Eglise, 40 exp. Rouillac Brocante & vide-greniers (7h-21h). Champ de Foire. 100 exp. Vouzan Sat & Sun. Brocante & vide-greniers (8h-24h). 100 exp. Sun 15th Vouzan Brocante & vide-greniers (8h-18h). 100 exp. Montbron Bric-à-Brac. (8h-18h) Centre Ville. Agris Brocante. (7h-18h). Centre Ville. Charente-Maritime (17) Sat 14th Rivedoux Brocante & vide-greniers (7h-18h). Place Jules Ferry. 60 exp.  Mortagne-sur-Gironde Vide-greniers. Le Port. (6h-19h). Rivedoux-Plage Brocante & vide-greniers (7h-18h). Le parking Jules Ferry. Sun 15th Fouras Brocante & vide-greniers (8h-19h). Prairie du Casino. 200 exp. Saint-Trojan-les-Bains Brocante & vide-greniers (6h-19h). Centre Ville. 150 exp. Saint-Coutant-le-Grand Brocante & vide-greniers (7h-19h). 50 exp. Torxé Brocante & vide-greniers (7h-19h). Rues du Port. 100 exp. Deux-Sèvres (79) Sat 14th Airvault Sat & Sun. Brocante. Jardin du vieux-château. 30 exp. Sun 15th Airvault Brocante. Jardin du vieux-château. 30 exp. Niort Brocante, puces & vide-greniers (7h-19h). 100 exp. Vienne (86) Sat 14th Civray Brocante & vide-greniers (7h-18h). Bords de Charente. 90 exp. Loudin Puces. (8h-19h). Place Porte de Chinon. 30 exp. I hope this helps people have an enjoyable weekend.. Any problems please let me know..

Martian invasion..???? [:'(]

Vello Rail at Confolens will sort them out... Good few hours worth through the countryside.. Quick tip tell them you will do the cycling on the way back as it is down hill [:)]

Ca't get google. ebay. bbc etc.. But most of the other sites..

Also pop into your local Doctors or Hospital, I saw a poster relating this today in the emergency waiting room at Ruffec Hospital today.. Good luck we are thinking of you.

Dept 16 Sat/Sam 23 Marsac Brocante & Vide-greniers, Ile de l'Abattut, 6h-18h, 100 exp. St Claud Until/Jusqu--24th, Antiquités & Brocante, Salle des fêtes. St Meme les Carriers Brocante & Vide-greniers, Place de la Poste, 7h-19h, 45 exp. Sun/Dim 24 Barbezieres Brocante & Vide-greniers, Place du Village, 8h-18h. Jarezac Brocante & Vide-greniers, Salle des fêtes, 6h-18h, 90 exp. Poullignac Brocante & Vide-greniers, Le Bourg, 8h-19h, 50 exp. St Yrieix sur Charente Bric-â-Brac, Terrain de pétange des Rochers, 7h-19h, 40 exp. Dept 17 Sat/Sam 23 Dolus D'Oleron Brocante & Vide-greniers, Hotel de Ville, 8h-19h, 45 exp. La Jarne Brocante & Vide-greniers, Place de la Liberté, 9h-18h, 100 exp. Sun/Dim 24 Archiac Brocante, Le Bourg. Boyardville Brocante & Vide-greniers, Port de plasiance, 7h-19h, 50 exp. Chaillevette Brocante & Vide-greniers, Terrain ancien camping, 50 exp. Chaniers Brocante & Vide-greniers, Le Communal, bord de Charente, 7h-18h30, 120 exp. Jonzac Brocante & Vide-greniers, Parc des expositions, 6h-0h, 200 exp. La Jarrie Audouin Brocante & Vide-greniers, Salle polyvalente Les Fonteneles, 8h-20h, 90 exp. La Noue Brocante & Vide-greniers, Place des Telleuls, 7h-19h, 140 exp. Marsais Brocante & Vide-greniers, Le Bourg, 7h-19h, 85 exp. Pisany Brocante & Vide-greniers, Place des Halles, 7h-18h, 80 exp. St Jean de Liversay Brocante & Vide-greniers, Rue du 19 Mars 1962, 6h-19h, 200 exp. St Pierre d'Oleron Vide-greniers, Place des Tilleuis, 7h-18h, 50 exp. Dept 79 Sun/Dim 24 Chef Boutonne Brocante & Vide-greniers, Prairie du Château de Javazay, 7h-18h, 200 exp. St Medard Brocante & Vide-greniers, Le Bourg, 9h-19h, 100 exp. Dept 86 Sun/Dim 24 Bignoux Brocante & Vide-greniers, Stade, salle socio-culturelle, 6h-18h. Cell L'Evescault Brocante & Vide-greniers, Aire des Loisirs, 7h-18h, 35 exp. Civray Brocante, La place Leclerc, 7h-19h, 40 exp. Poitiers Brocante & Vide-greniers, Centre d'animation de Beaulieu, 7h-18h, 120 exp.

Well it was another washed out day at the Brocante.... and they say the weekend is going to be the same..[:'(]