The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

Oldies but goodies

One afternoon while in Saint Raphael, I had the time and energy to pass through the town square, and there was a nice little brocante - an antique sale. A lot of the vendors were already packing up to go home (it was sunny but very windy and maybe business wasn't good enough to merit sticking out the afternoon). But I got a few photos, nonetheless. Here's something you don't see every day - a lovely Victrola (or whatever the French label might be) complete with it's practical and decorative cabinet. Back in the day, you would have been proud to own such a "frivolous" item for listening to music on "records". (If you under-35's don't remember what "records" where, I think they are just calling them "vinyl" now, and they're back in demand.) I love the blue color of the amplifier. This seller had an eclectic collection of tin pails and buckets, decorative friezes and bells, and even (on left) a life preserver for a boat. And the winner du jour of the "Oddities" category for this brocante: the antelope (or is it a gazelle?) skull and horns, next to the captain's hat! Then I went to my favorite... Read more →

Brocanting we will go

Better weather means... more brocantes in Paris! Read more →

Going Brocante at Bastille, Part 2

The brocanting fun continues at Bastille... Art Nouveau, anyone? Read more →

Going Brocante at Bastille, Part 1

Best way to brocante in Paris without going broke? Just don't bring any cash, checks or credit cards when you go. It's your only hope. Read more →

I need a front yard for this

OK, I know it is too early for Christmas talk yet (despite the fact that retailers the world over have been pushing Christmas decorations at us for weeks, already). But this? Is just freaking funny. Spotted it at a brocante on Rue des Martyrs. It takes "garden gnome" to a whole new level. Santa had one too many egg nogs Read more →