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.
