Many of you may know the antique-filled town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in the south of France. But you may not realise that one of its busiest and most exciting moments is over the Easter weekend
This year marks the 51st edition of the Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Antiques Art and You fair. From the 13th to the 17th of April, the town becomes a major destination for lovers of antiques and brocante.
The 300 regular dealers based in the town are joined by several hundred more from across France. For four full days, the streets are lined with treasures from every corner of the country. From classic French antiques to vintage finds and decorative objects, the fair has something for every taste and budget.
There are different events each day, including two evenings of late-night shopping and even a festive Antique Dealers Ball on Saturday. Alongside the antiques, you’ll find food stalls, cafés, and restaurants open throughout the day—ideal for a proper pause between purchases.
The best way to enjoy the fair is to stay nearby and give yourself at least a couple of days. That way, you can take your time, explore the winding streets, and soak in the atmosphere.
One of my favourite places to stay near Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is La Bastide de Gordes. Perched in a hilltop village, the hotel offers spacious rooms, attentive service, and a wonderful restaurant. It is without doubt one of the finest addresses in the region.
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Whether you are furnishing a home, looking for small decorative pieces, or simply want inspiration, this antiques fair is worth the journey. There is nothing quite like seeing so many unique pieces in one place, and chatting with dealers who truly know their craft.
If you have never been to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue during the fair, perhaps this is the year to go. Spring is a beautiful time to visit Provence, and the town is full of life and colour.
17 comments
Yes, Bastide de Gordes is (to understate the matter) lovely.
Have you ever seen photographs of Gordes from 1945? the Germans did a MAJOR number of the town. Walking around it today, I can never, for the life of me, figure out how anyone managed to put it all back together again.
It’s not as though all the stones were numbered before the places blown up, but I suppose the French have gotten good at this re-assembling business…
thanks for the evocative posting,
David Terry
Wow!What a wonderful way to shop for antiques and enjoy France as well. I look forward to visiting next year. Thanks for sharing.
Today’s post brings back fond memories of a trip there with my sister nearly two years ago. We had such a great time in that little town – I hope to go back some day. It’s in such a wonderful location to visit so many beautiful sights!
My husband and I visited here while staying in the south of France and had such a memorable, wonderful time. Maybe we can visit there again over the Easter holiday in the future as we get ready for semi-retirement and more European adventures.
Lovely! My kind of weekend – and that pool looks divine too!
I stayed in this village some years ago for 10 days. Fabulous.
We were low budget and stayed at a hotel in walking distance called Les Nevons I think. Lovely owners.
Don’t miss it. Also a good place from which to reach other places – by bus or train.
Gigi
We stayed at Les Nevons, also. I saw it was recommended by Rick Steves in his book so I figured why not? Great location to walk everywhere, secured parking, large rooms and bathrooms. It suited our needs!
What a beautiful place to visit. The Caisse d’Epargne building is also so lovely, situated on the water as it is.
I was not aware of this Market, it looks wonderful. My husband and I are going to the south of France in July so sadly we will miss this but I may try to schedule going there next year, thank you for sharing this.
Isle Sur La Sorgue is one of our favorite places to visit. In fact, we are going there in early May for two weeks. I love the markets and the whole set up for vendors, it is most enchanting! This is our third time visiting there.
Your post was very timely!
Thanks for all your wonderful suggestions!
Sandra McCulloch
Oh my, I cannot imagine. I was there in 2003 on a Sunday in June and brought home several treasures. The one we wanted was a huge metal sign that said “Boucherie’ but it would have cost way too much. Instead settled on some cheese pots, wooden shoe inserts, silverware and antique linens. And with all this and a set of dishes(not antique) we had to buy extra luggage and left some clothes behind.
What a wonderful way to spend a weekend! I’ve added it to The List.
Oh, yes! I have been there! What a lovely area and the shopping was great! I bought lots of antiques and gifts for friends & family there. I also knocked a few things off of my long list of items to buy in France! The surrounding shops were nice, too, although not many antiques, mostly retail. And wonderful food…..but, then again, it’s France!
Cathy
Seeing places like this and hearing about the antique fair makes me wish we had more money. This would be where I would want to go, how heavenly. Your opening photo is delightful. What an enchanting looking place with the water around it. Don’t know which I’d be more happy to see as I love antiques. So happy you shared this, will forward post to my daughter whom always wanted to see France.
Her oldest daughter got to see some of France last summer when she was an AuPair in Italy. France, It Have wonderful weekaly, even Switzerland and Greece. She got quite an education.
Enjoy the antique fair and seeing the area, lucky lady.
We stayed in an apartment in the heart of Isle sur la sorgue a few years ago and fell in love with the town. The Sunday Brocante was so much fun. We will return one day. Lovely post.
My hubby and I were there also, but it was in the middle of a hot summer all over Europe. The beauty of this area in July is having a central location, and driving the lavender routes to various villages. We stayed the week in Avignon which is a lovely medieval city, and we drove to Gordes, Arles, Les Baux, Isle Sur la Sorge and more, viewing lavender, wheat, and sunflowers along the way….and stopping to walk in the midst of it all. Absolutely lovely with lovely French people in every village and town.
Hi Sharon, could you please describe the process and how costly it would be to go there to buy furniture but then ship it back to Canada or North America in general?