What's a Vide Grenier in Provence?

As a Markets of Provence enthusiast, I was delighted when I read an "affiche" (poster), on a door near the Bibliotheque announcing a "Vide Grenier" in Sablet!

Although we had been there for the Brocantes (Antiques Markets) that take place a coupe of times a year during the Spring/Summer, this was our first Sablet Vide Grenier! 

What's a Vide Grenier?

Vide means empty.  Grenier means Attic.  Literally translated, it means empty attic...... get the drift?

A vide grenier - held in many towns and villages around Provence - is like a village-wide yard sale or the Peddler's Fairs in some small towns, all with a delightful twist that many of the "greniers" - when emptied, yield beautiful antiques - furniture, china, silverware, tools, linens etc.

Along with the residents of the village, outside semi-professional vendors who have access to what the French call, "brocante" from houses that are being remodeled and so on, bring their items for sale.

We were looking out for items for our newly purchased "la Baume des Pelerins" and our fellow Sabletains did not disappoint.

Amongst it all we found some "must have" items. First was a beautiful porcelain font.  Perfect for a corner and decorated with a burgundy scroll-like pattern on a cream background - finished with a dainty brass faucet. This was just perfect for la Baume des Pelerins!

Next was something I had wanted for a long time. An old copper preserving pan!  I just couldn't resist taking it back and starting a batch of Plum and Rosemary Jam.  The plums were from the market and the Rosemary was from our own courtyard garden at Maison des Pelerins.

This pan was something that would have been found in many farm kitchens and was the perfect size for a batch of preserves.

This wonderful "find" came home to California with me and is very helpful in the production of jams,      

relishes and pickles.

One of our Apple trees (completely laden with almost ripe apples) fell over two weeks ago and I have wheelbarrow loads of apples, waiting to become Apple Jelly perhaps with some thyme or lemon balm from the herb garden to add a little extra flavor.

A yellow traditional Provencal "Boutis," (a quilta) a "Tapis"(an area rug), an ochre wall light fixture and some pottery completed our day's shopping at the Vide Grenier.

 

Sablet - Provence - Vide Grenier - something for everyone!

 

Shoppers spend a warm afternoon looking for treasure at the Vide Grenier - Sablet

What a fun day - time well spent with neighbors and some very economical shopping!  I can't wait for the next one.

If you will be traveling in Provence, look out for the "affiches" advertising Vide Greniers in the local villages - they are a lot of fun!