Markets

[Brian]

I would like to go to some outdoor markets but am very confused at the differences between the classes of markets advertised on such sites as http://www.vide-geniers.org

The 3 main categories seem to be vide greniers, brocantes, and marches des puces.
I know these translate as garage sale, flea market and (confusingly) flea market. I'd be most grateful if someone could explain the difference with,  perhaps, examples of what to expect at each.

I'd normally ask my French neighbours but they have decamped to foreign parts for August...

[Fred]

I think it's just a matter of wording today and how the organiser wants to describe it, they seem to have lost the meanings these days.

But the way I understand it if it's of any help is this.  

Vide greniers: This was like our old fashioned Car Boot sale, you used to be able to find some very good bargains as they were just public selling stuff. However some started getting like the British ones and you ended up finding stuff that is better suited on a market, or it was stuff from spivs.  

I think they are trying to get Vide Greniers back to what they should be, as I think you can now only do so many a year in some towns and you have to show proof of local residence. (But don't quote me on it)  

Brocantes: These when I first came here were more like antique dealers and usually in a building, some were very expensive and sold quality stuff but you could also find some good bargains at some.

Marches des puces: These are like you say a Flea Market usually dealers or people who know a bit more about what something is worth, sometimes quality sometimes tat.

Today however they seem to call them what they want and it's all a bit confusing as to which are the best ones.

On a side note I can recommend a trip to Emmaus just south of Poitiers for a large choice of just about everything and at good prices, there is also one at Le Blanc a smaller one but a good selection of old clothes if you're into that sort of thing. https://emmaus-france.org/

https://www.troc.com/fr/ Also sell a large selection of second hand goods.

Hope that's helped a little, but take it with a pinch of salt as I could be totally wrong.

Happy Rummaging.

[Brian]

Thanks Fred. Most useful. I'll let you know what I find. All kinds of oddities out there. I noticed that the depot des ventes just off the Bellac by pass had a couple of ski lift gondolas for sale. I wouldn't have thought there was much demand for cable cars in these parts.