This spring was my first ever visit to Chatou Paris Antique Fair, it was heaven. A feast for the eyes and nourishment for your vintage soul!
Read on for details of this very special bi-annual antique fair that is held just outside Paris and dates of the Autumn 2024 event.
The venue has always had a connection with beauty as it is fittingly set on an island in the Seine, called the Île des Impressionistes, it was beloved of the Impressionist painters, particularly Renoir and Claude Monet. There they held boating parties and picnics, themes often reflected in their art.
Fast forward to the 21st century and a space surrounded by the River Seine is turned into a fairground for 10 days. At current count 268 dealers are setting up their stalls there for this autumn's event.
At the previous fair, there were many talented dealers, artists in their own right. Having so many in one space was truly inspiring. There were brocante treasures from a range of eras from stylish Mid Century Modern to precious antiques dating back as far as the 1600s.
I think one's eye tends to pass over the stalls that are not in keeping with one's own style, to those that are, and there were many that were my style. The majority of the dealers had set out their wares very artistically, making it a wonderful experience whether you bought a contailer load of treasures or just a few pieces.
I defy any antique lover to come away empty handed.
Sounds expensive? Some stalls were very expensive but their treasures were very rare and beautiful. Also you have to apprecialte there are the costs of having a stall here for 10 days (and don't forget the high taxes that French sellers have to pay).
The most beautiful antiques were truly exceptional, luckily many stall holders took cards so I added to my personal collection as well as purchasing treasures for my Quintessentially French online brocante.
Despite accepting cards, most sellers prefer cash, so it's worth bringing a ready supply, as well as bags and packing materials.
However it wasn't all wonderful, there were some less exceptional stalls at prices I wasn't prepared to pay, but that is the case every where! At least here there are no non-vintage/antique stalls, baby clothes and modern ornaments as you find at some street markets. The stall holders I spoke to were, on the whole, knowledgeable and some were experts.
Where did I linger? The first place that caught my eye was a stall full of terre de fer, French ironstone. The seller had clearly collected for many months to bring such a delightfully comprehensive selection.
Wandering along the alleyways, searching for that special gem in the tents and the marquees, I found a shop selling hand coloured wallpaper panels, maybe 150 - 200 years old. There was another stall full of art and artist's palettes, another with fabrics, furniture, jewellery, ruffled paged books, religious reliquaries and even a harp! Most however had the usual and beloved eclectic mix, reflecting the owner's style.
The details you need to know:
When is the next event? From the 27th September to the 6th October
Do I need to book a tour? No really, just turn up and buy a ticket and wander round. It's not that big, most of the stall holders speak English and there are shipping experts on site.
Entry is 10€ .
Getting there: You can drive, parking is limited close by, however there is a park and ride with a shuttle bus or you can take the RER A from Paris centre, or of course you can take a taxi.
And there's one important bit I haven't told you about, there are pop up restaurants in the fair, from sit down 3 courses with wine to an oyster bar sandwich stalls, it just makes the whole thing so much more ... civilised! The French stall holders often bring supplies and set out tables in front of their stalls, enjoying a glass of wine and the conviviality of the event. La Belle vie française!
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