Foire de Chatou-Antiquing outside of Paris

 I have been in Paris for four days shopping for antiques at St. Ouen and other areas in Paris.  Today I ventured out to the Foire de Chatou the antiques and brocante market outside Paris.   A show that combines antiques and ham; yes I said ham.  Ham, ham, and more ham.  I lost count of the vendors offering ham served in so many ways. 

Now back to the antique part….if you are the casual collector or an avid collector you will enjoy this market.  Fine silver, furniture, paintings, architectural items, country French, and vintage items are in abundance at Chatou.   The market is held twice yearly and the fall 2014 market is in process.  The show ends October 5.   So if you are in Paris over the next few days you may want to try and visit for an afternoon.  It is a short journey out of Paris and from most locations it should take about 30 minutes.  The market is outside, rain or shine.  Wear comfortable shoes and take an umbrella.  Bargaining with sellers is normal.   But bargaining that is done respectfully leaves everyone happy with the outcome.   The market provides a tram that will take you from the train station to the show and back to the station. It is a funny little tram that will put a smile on your face.  

The website for the show is; http://www.foiredechatou.com/en/

You will need to take the RER A train outside of Paris to the Rueil-Malmaison station.   Check the connections of the Metro near where you are staying to find the station that will connect with the RER A train.  You will need to buy a ticket for an outside Paris destination; one for each way.   Today the cost was 3.60Euro each way.   You will be traveling in the direction of St. German-en-lalye.  So be sure when you change from the Metro to the RER that you go to the right platform.    Check to see that the train is stopping at  Rueil Malmasson .  Once you arrive at the station; exit and look for a large advertising sign for the Foire de Chatou and yes it does have a pig on the sign.  Ham and pigs, it is the theme of the market.  I had to walk around the outside of the  station to find it so just be patient and you will find it also.   Just wait a few minutes and Voila….the funny little tram will appear.  And your adventure is almost about to begin.

 

 

 

 

Antique buying in England & France

Call me obsessed, infatuated, or captivated by antiques. When it comes to shopping for them obsessed is a good descriptive word.   I look forward to my shopping trips abroad and am always eager to see what finds each trip will bring. I often visit small towns and villages while in France and of course, there is Paris.  Who can resist shopping in Paris? Not I.  And I will press on against all odds to get there.

Several years ago I had plans to meet my youngest daughter in Paris while I was on a buying trip.  I would be shopping during the day and we would meet some evenings for dinner.  She was staying with friends in Neuilly Sur Seine on the outskirts of Paris.  Three days before I was to leave I was jumping my horse and one of my stirrups broke over the fence.  I was fine except for one knee that hit a wooden pole.  The next morning I thought not so bad…a little more ice… a little more aspirin…and all would be well.  That was until I fell down the stairs at our house rushing to get ready to go.  The knee began to look like a small watermelon by that night.  More ice, more aspirin.  The next morning, I was packed, dressed, and ready to go.  Go yes; however, not very fast.  I could not bend the knee at all and had to walk with a straight leg.  But go to Paris I did.  How could I not go?  There were antiques waiting in Paris and I needed to go see what was there.  There were auctions to preview and shops to visit.  I had to get in cabs and slide backwards across the seat since my knee would not bend; however, the Parisian taxi drivers were very patient (yes, I said patient).  I was a bit slower getting around the Paris Markets.

The trip was a success and I went on to England for another eight days of buying and was left with great memories of Paris.  The cherry trees were in bloom and they were glorious!     I was able to meet up with my daughter on several occasions for dinner including one of her most memorable meals in Paris, a Mushroom Risotto that we have yet to be able to re-create.  We were so obsessed with the most beautiful dog that was keeping his owner company across from us; we never took time to beg for the secret to the cream Risotto.  There is always next time……

                               Trees in bloom; Spring in Paris.  My photo

     
                                          Who can resist?   My photo

                                         Shopping in Paris; my photo

         A beautiful set of 12 silver knife rests found on that buying trip