Remi wrapped his arm around my shoulder, we picked up the pace and shuddered in unison. That Mistral wind! Always arriving precisely when it is most unwelcome. So it was on a Sunday morning in December. But the sun was gorgeous as it always is on such windswept days and for once, I had prepared, wrapping myself in layers of cashmere with gloves and a bonnet in my pocket plus fly-sized glasses to keep my eyes from tearing. I had to keep my focus. For yet again, we were on the hunt.
Of course, we didn’t actually need a thing from the brocante or flea-market at St. Etienne du Grès. But it has always been about the Art of Looking for us. The prick of possibility. From those very first weeks together in Vanves on the outskirts of Paris, we would walk the puces every weekend, sometimes on both Saturday and Sunday. It was our antiques education, not to mention free entertainment. We didn’t yet have a spare dime between us, so despite our empty apartment (I had only brought an Icart print and many pairs of heels with me from NYC), we simply asked questions of the dealers and compared likes and dislikes over a scrambled brunch upon returning home.
The Mistral whipped Remi and I off into our own individual orbits. Which was just fine as we were both too busy storing up little bits of lost history and found inspiration to be good company. Pushed forward by the wind, I rolled through aisle after aisle, past the sellers lunching on saucisson and warming wine, while mentally sifting the junk from the jewels at each stand. And somehow, just that walking while looking outwards with a soft gaze, always tends to do the same for me mentally. Stuck staring, I wondered with my head tilted just so and responded to each dealer’s enquiring eyes with a nod that was curt but kind. “No, sorry but no.” As always, I was searching without really knowing what I was looking for and perhaps that is another reason why such flea market strolls are so comforting. Anonymous, right in the thick of the crowds, we all are.
I finished first as I often do, impatient red-head that I am. But then again, it just might be that I like that moment of turning back to search for Remi’s face, that familiar face, to catch him unaware with weighty eyes. Slowly, I reeled myself in towards him until that arm was replaced wordlessly, shoulder-round. We didn’t end up buying anything as we knew we probably wouldn’t and turned to leave as the dealers started to close up shop – repacking their wares carefully and with a hint of accustomed disappointment – all of us waiting for a “Yes, thank you, I’ll take it,” possibly at the next brocante.
A boutis or typically Provençal antique quilt. They are getting harder to find…
Rusty ponies, anyone?
Vintage santons and saints for a Provençal crèche…
What do we think? An olive or grape press?
And for my friend La Contessa of Hen House…
Did you see anything that tempted you?
Sending my very Best from a tiny village in the South of France,
Heather
It is amazing, isn't it? It actually can make me super tired if I focus on that aspect too much! Something tells me you understand what I mean. 🙂
Aha! Well spotted as I hadn't even noticed it! It would have been interesting to try and figure out what year it was from…
Or the way you weave a compliment? 😉 Merci, Jennifer and it is interesting that you and Brooke said the same thing…Someone in Cali needs to bring all of this stuff over there!
Ai! Be careful with your eyes!! What is the name that they have for the wind?? I bet that there are several!
And do you have any idea how romantic it is that the nearest spot you may be able to go antiquing is in…Tripoli? *happy sigh*
Oh good! By all means do! But as for the cutting board…they are another item that is getting harder to find. I think that once someone buys one they don't let it go! I still see some amazing butcher blocks at some of the professional fairs but those go for a fortune now…
Thank you for that very specific compliment Jeanne – it went right to my heart as that is something that I work on. Merci! And yes, come over whenever you like and we will shop away…I will take you to all of my favorite spots. We will just leave Mr H by the pool! 😉
Emilia, that made me smile. That is quite a shopping list that you have there!!! But I know that it would all look perfect in your lovely abode.
Have an excellent day!
Bisous!
Eee, I totally am hesitating in suggesting something because what if you spend all of that money and you don't like it??? That said, I recently tasted the red from the Abbaye de Pierredon: http://www.abbayedepierredon.fr/pierredon-vin-bio-alpilles-viticulture-biologique.php#/FicheTechnique/10
I thought that it was lovely but this was at a friends house so I am not sure of the pricing. I don't know who you are buying from but these guys come recommended: http://www.vcommevin.com/
We are exactly the same with our wine glasses. Ben and Kipling are the Champions of knocking over glasses on coffee tables with wagging tales! Eh oui and you know that you will find what you need at L'Isle…but the question is…will you be able to afford it?
Gros Bisous,
H
I do too. Danke, Keith! ps. How is your German coming along? 😉
Oh you are welcome! And how fabulous to be at the point where you actually NEED to buy things for your house…ah, I miss those days. 🙂 If you are here in Provence, let me know and I will hook you up with good addresses!