Our antique and brocante fair season will soon be underway again!
I am excited about the treasure that I haven’t even seen yet, but am sure to find, and about all the wonderful clients that I shall be hosting this year, be they returning clients who have now become friends, or first-time buyers, looking for antiques on the September tour.
This spring, I will be shopping with a few of my regular professional clients. Many of them book their tours from one year to the next. Each one has their favorite markets and fairs in France. They usually arrive with very long wish lists for their antique shops or design projects back home.
Then there is my September group tour. I can hardly believe this will be the fifth edition. Every year, I meet lovely new clients from all over the world. We spend six days together, searching for brocante treasures and enjoying this beautiful region of France. The shopping is always wonderful, but the best part is often the camaraderie.
There is something special about the friendships that form between guests who have never met before. We share stories, laugh together, and enjoy meals on the road while driving from one antique dealer to the next. Whether we are at large fairs or hidden shops, there is always something magical about the experience.
The antique dealers in Normandy and Paris know me well. They greet us with open doors and warm smiles. They are generous with their time and their prices, knowing I return often and bring enthusiastic buyers.
If you would like to join me this year, you are very welcome. The September tour runs from Wednesday, September 21, to Monday, September 26. There are still a few places available. We will visit large fairs, tiny village markets, and tucked-away antique stores. The itinerary also includes delicious food, excellent wine, and a stay in an 18th-century château.
If you already have a group of friends or family, I can also create a custom shopping tour just for you. I do this every year, and it is always a pleasure. We can focus on French antique buying or add in garden visits, cooking classes, or even a day trip to the landing beaches. There are so many options to make your trip unique.
If you would like more information, please leave a comment or email me directly. I would love to help you plan a tour that combines fun, discovery, and beautiful brocante finds.
I hope that 2016 is the year we meet and I can show you this gorgeous corner of France. Most of all, I hope you take something home that you will treasure for years to come.
PS. These wonderful pictures are by Joel of Studio EMP who tagged along last year while his wife Jeni did some serious shopping for Found Rentals!
48 comments
What are the dates of your September tour?
Id love to know as well please
Would very much like more info on the September tour 🙂
Hi Sharon,
Could you tell me how much the tour costs please?
I would very much like to come.
Kind regards
Helen
Please send me info about the September dates.
Oops! Thank you for that question Bev, the tour starts on Wednesday 21st and ends on Monday 26th September.
I’ll correct that omission in the blog post straight away 🙂
Hi I am interested in your brocante tour.What is the cost?Do you offer a mini version?3 days?Also curious about your rental.Planning a trip with my husband Paris/South of France/Italy this August/September would like some info on your rental.Thank you do much!-Christine
Please may I have details of your September tour.
Many thanks.
My daughter and I fondly reminisce about our September 2014 tour with you and the great “finds” we purchased. We still hear, from time to time, from our tour mates.
Oh how we dream of returning and doing it all again.
Ours was truly a wonderful Mother/Daughter experience.
Tell Fred hello. We loved staying in her Gardeners Cottage at the Chateau.
We really miss you and France,
Madeline in Texas
Hi Madeline, thank you for your lovely comment, it was a pleasure to host you and Susan, can you believe that was almost two years ago?!
I loved the way your group really came together, and have all kept in touch ever since
with love from Normandy to Texas
Sharon
It was a trip of a lifetime (not to be cliche) and something I’ll always remember. What fun we had! Thanks, Mom for introducing me to Sharon’s blog! A special thanks to Sharon for letting me come along 🙂
Susan in Boston
I am interested and would like to know the cost of the tour. It will be just me, Monica, coming. Thank you!
Just to read and dream about this and to know you are there offering this is a treasure to me. It is elegance waiting!!!
I just loved reading this, on a very very windy winter’s day. It reminded me that Spring is just around the corner, another month and brocante fairs will once again become a weekend adventure, signs will start to be posted on roads advertising upcoming dates. Oh I can’t wait for Spring in France!
Can you please send details about the chateau and costs of the trip, I assume that flights and transfers would be an additional cost?
Many thanks
A friend and I are interested in a 2017 trip (we’ll both be turning 65 that year!). You probably don’t have dates yet but could you give an idea of the price of such a tour with you? Merci bien.
I am interested in knowing the details. Merci! Also curious of the cost in renting our your cottage. Thank you
Could you please send me the cost of your September your and the relevant information.
Thank you…this is my dream.
Date and Cost of 2016 tour?
Cost of accommodations?
Plane, etc will be paid personally
I would be interested in more information for the 2016 tours.
Thank you very much. Sandra
I would like information on your September tour.
Thank you!
Would like further 2016 information, including costs, along with 2017 dates if you have them.
How wonderful you offer these amazing opportunities, Sharon. I do hope to join you one day…
Yes another person interested! could you send me the cost of the Sept tour. We are planning to visit you next year 2017 so if you have dates for that and costs that would be very helpful. Thanks Sharon
Teena
Is it difficult to get shipments through customs? I have too many antiques–we just bought an extensively furnished 17th century apartment in Carcassonne that we’re renovating– and friends/family in the U.S. would love them. But I’m put off by the paperwork.
You simply work with a good shipper who will need an inventor everything you want to ship. They deal with the paperwork and you pay the bill and the custom duties!
Could you send further details of the September tour please.
Wow, looks like you will be quite busy for some time to come. How exciting for you to meet more people and have them join your tours. Wish I could be one of them, should I put it on my bucket list? Unless we win the lottery or ? don’t see it happening but never hurts to dream and wish does it? The photos you shared are exquisite, love the yellow fields most of all. How dreamy they are.
Hope you have wonderful week
Would love to know the cost for me and my husband for your September tour. We have never been due to expense so I am looking forward to your response. Thank you
Hello Sharon,
My sister and I would love to join you and your group for either your 2016 or 2017 tours.
Would appreciate details such as prices, itineraries etc..
I will be in Normandy on May 31st ,2016,but only for one day as my husband and I are on a Cruise. Are there any flea markets that you know of that I might be able to catch while there?
Otherwise, of course I will want to return in September for what sounds fabulous!
Sincere regards,
Karen
This would be a dream come true! Details would be much appreciated. Bonne journée!
I would love to know the details of the September tour. It sounds wonderful!
Thank you,
Pamela
Hello Sharon! Would love to get pricing on your Sept tour for 2 people that has been on my radar screen for a couple of years! Hopefully there is room for this year! We would be buying for our business back in the states. Can you also give info on how we secure the tour once we receive the pricing? Would love to move forward on this as soon as possible!
Thank you Sharon!!
Sharon, I can see that your group for antique shopping will be expanding, with so much interest! This is a trip that is definitely at the top of my list!,
Sharon,
One day… a dream to shop brocante with you in beautiful France… Perhaps 2017… could you send details about the September tour?
Judith
On a totally different note, whatever happened to the rest of the story you posted on 20th December. I keep hoping to see what happened. Best wishes. x
Hello Sharon,
I’ll be in France during the time of your September tour and would appreciate it if you would please send me all the pertinent details.
Many thanks!
I would love details of dates and costs for the September tour. Thanks!
I also would like to know the costs — the transportation needed to get to your “part of the world”, etc.
I am about to buy a beautiful French Manor House in the Loire and would adore being part of your tour. Merci xox
not a comment on today’s posting, but I just reread last summer’s story–so much fun. I am anxious/greedy to know what Sophie is up to and do hope that there will be another story this coming summer.
Hello Sharon. Would you be so kind as to forward me information regarding your tours. Thank you and have a good day.
Dear Sharon,
I would love to get more information and details about your September 2016 event.
Best,
Daniela
Hi Sharon,
My daughters and I have a “plan” to come to France and your tour would fill that dream. I would need to know more than the dates; accommodation prices, tour fees, what is the best place to fly into from the States, etc. We will either plan to come 2016 or 17. Thank you for your time and we look so forward to this experience!
Dear Sharon,
Please send me details regarding your upcoming tours. My husband is taking me to Paris and Provence on April 5-15 2016! This trip is a gift for my 50th birthday. Any recommendations? Love love your blog!!!
Thank you,
Serena
Hi Sharon,
I found your blog through your beautiful instagram account -thank you for sharing such beautiful images!
My daughter and her husband are in Bourges for three months (for his work) and we are coming to visit and will be in Paris from March 10-March 15. The Chatou Fair will be going on and I think it sounds like a wonderful fair to visit! Do you have any recommendations for shopping there? Do you lead shopping trips at this fair?
I would appreciate any advice you have to share. Thank you!
My bags are packed for September!
Sharon,
Please send me details of your September tour,, Do husbands attend at times?
We are planning a trip to France, possibly this September, more likely 2017…
I love your blog, and enjoy all your beautiful pictures. I’ve never been to France, and I am already in love with it…. Merci…
Interested in coming in sept please contact me