brocante tour season

by Sharon Santoni

If things have been a tad quiet here on the blog this past week, it is because we are in the brocante tour season.   Last week I hosted a group of lovely guests and toured them around normandy, staying in chateaux, buying brocante, and discovering this corner of France.

This week I’m with a smaller group for my new Luxury and Antiques tour, during which, as well as buying brocante treasure, we also have a lesson in floral art from top Paris florist Clarisse Beraud; we take a class in French cooking; enjoy private visit to chateau potager and antique dealers homes, and as the cherry on the cake, we take a class in jewellry design with the Van Cleef and Arpel School.

These tours are both timed to include a day at the Chatou antique fair, which will always be my favourite.  This year is no exception, a fantastic mix of  dealers and many different styles of furniture and artwork to be found.   This alcove caught my eye on the stand of Comptoir Yamaska Nord

display by comptoir yamaksa nord at the chatou fair

Of course I enjoy every event included in the tours, and I love to show people the countryside, and favorite spots in Paris.  But above all perhaps, is the delight in spending time with interesting clients from different walks of life and from all around the globe, brought together by a common love of antiques and all things French.

Some people travel with a friend or partner, but for many clients it is an opportunity to travel alone and feel safe and confident that everything will go smoothly, and that the daily details and logistics of moving around are all taken care of.

These pictures are simply some of the shots that I have snapped this week and last, if you want to see more, then you can follow us on Instagram, where daily stories are published as well as a picture each day.

And if you’d like to join us next spring, take a look at our Provence tour, which will also combine chateau living with antiques and authentic French traditions and savoir faire.    The tour is selling fast, and we only have three places remaining!

14 comments

Our French Oasis September 29, 2017 - 12:34 pm

What an absolute treat for your guests, I am sure they feel like royalty, as every detail is planned to perfection in the most incredible surroundings. Locally here in South West France our brocantes are all coming to an end, they are very much spring and summer affairs here, now it is wine season!

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Rissi Cherie September 29, 2017 - 1:07 pm

Coucou Sharon,

Loved the pics! However, I clicked on your Instagram link and landed on a nudie account! You may want to check that link.

Bisous,

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Maureen September 29, 2017 - 3:45 pm

Sharon,

Would you please send me the brochure for the May, 2018 tour? It sounds enticing!

Warmly,
Maureen

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Mary September 29, 2017 - 5:14 pm

Beautiful!

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Maria Vittoria Venezia June 25, 2021 - 12:19 pm

Una meraviglia per gli occhi!

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Taste of France September 29, 2017 - 9:05 pm

Your wonderful photos are just a hint of the marvels your visitors must have enjoyed.
I always look forward to fall to get back into the brocantes. Nothing better on a crisp Sunday morning than perusing the antiques on offer.

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Deborah Lindsay September 29, 2017 - 9:06 pm

This trip is pure perfection – as always with Sharon. Chatou tomorrow!

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Pat September 30, 2017 - 2:52 pm

Your brocante tour is on my bucket list, some day I will be there. In the meantime I will just enjoy seeing the beautiful photos and hearing the experiences of those who are taking the tour.
Pat

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Colleen Taylor September 30, 2017 - 6:02 pm

How lovely once again Sharon.X

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Pat October 1, 2017 - 5:58 pm

Hi Sharon. I am searching your blog for a recipe. Little heart shaped cakes made with ground almonds that were served for breakfast. I made them one time and they were delicious. Now I can’t find the recipe. Would love to see You group all of your recipes for our easy access.

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beth francis October 14, 2017 - 8:36 am

Dear Sharon

Are there any places left for the Provence tour? If so please could you send me a brochure

Beth

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Mrs. Shockley October 19, 2017 - 7:53 pm

Oh my gosh! Wonderful post. I just want to clutch my pearls as I look at all the wonderful items.

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Kayla Brossett September 10, 2018 - 7:13 pm

How do I get information about your tours?

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the brocante tour gets underway - MY FRENCH COUNTRY HOME September 28, 2018 - 4:15 pm

[…] Read about our past Brocante Tours here […]

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