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Brocante/Antiques in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue | |
| If you like antiques, second-hand goods, and brocante or vintage, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is the place for you! | ||
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Brocante is one of those wonderful French words that is very meaningful but difficult to translate. It may refer to second-hand, used, or vintage items, and often "Antiques and brocante" are used together. Real antique dealers will distinguish antiques from brocante, which they consider to be of less value and interest. Whatever the definition, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue has it all! There are literally hundreds of antique and brocante dealers, most housed just across the Sorgue River from the center of town.
And on the Sunday market day there are hundreds more! From the main square, down the narrow streets, and all along the quais dealers set up shop. You'll see white vans galore, tents and other shelters, and more stuff than you could ever imagine being in one place. Offerings range from art works to knickknacks, from antique bathtubs to jewelry, from clothing of all types and styles to collections of clocks. You name it, you can probably find it in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The market also includes an extensive food market, with wonderful Provençal treats ranging from lucious tomatoes and local melons, to artisinal honey and nougat, to lots of varieties of olives. Prepared foods such as pizzas, quiches, paellas, and other delicious items are also available, so you can stock up for a picnic or a meal. There is a smaller—but still very lively—market on Thursdays as well. As for the antiques and brocantes, here are a few of the places you might want to check out. Most are open from Friday to Sunday, though some shops in town are open all week, and others might accept appointments. —Quai de la Gare: 25 Exhibitors The first two are housed in large buildings, while L'Île au Brocante enjoys a garden setting, with individual shops off of a central walkway. And there are lots more individual shops. If you are into shopping, antiques, and vintage things, you'll find plenty to keep you busy in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. And if you're not, it's still fun to walk through the Sunday market and be amazed at all that is for sale.
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Above, Entrance to L'Île aux Brocantes, home to about 40 exhibitors.
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