The hunting season

 

Today is the opening of La Chasse - open season for hunting. Across the region there are wild boar, small animals and birds that don't know what's about to hit them. By the weekend, I can guarantee you, there will be at least one report of an innocent cyclist who has been shot by accident by over-enthusiastic amateurs who (literally) shoot anything that moves across the countryside.

 

Like many of you who love the French countryside, I am addicted to a gentler form of summer hunting: the brocantes and vide-greniers that provide a jumble of rich pickings. A sign on a wayside tree provides the same thrill of the chase as we sling the leather straps of bags across the body and stride out with purpose...(to be continued).

Sunday brocante



We filled the main house with relics and prizes from the local brocantes, the second hand bric-a-brac markets. However badly rusted, flaking, dented it was, we were charmed by each item. Cast-offs, objects near the end of their life, their usefulness already given to other people in other settings, could play out their final years for us, until they crumbled finally into the dust which fell steadily from the ceilings and walls.

                                                           

                                                                   From The Lantern

Throughout France there are brocante markets on Sunday. Some will be full of wonders, others tatty but incredibly expensive household artefacts. Some of these fairs will offer up just what you’ve been looking for at a bargain price, others will be full of old rubbish.

Each to his own, but whatever your taste you can usually find something to intrigue and tempt, like this little selection from Provence:  

This painting caught my eye:

And this carved wood panel on a sideboard:

Glorious contents of a French château

Couldn't resist showing this: there's a public auction later this week of the contents of the eighteenth century Château de Digoine in southern Burgundy. A look at the catalogue gives a glimpse inside this place - a treasure trove of wonderful pieces of furniture and pictures, but also old uniforms, kitchenalia and pieces of brocante. If only...

A click on this link will give you the auction catalogue: Open sesame!
To turn the pages, flick from the bottom right.