French Summer Markets are a way of life

French markets are a way of life in France. Fresh produce, handmade items and freshly cooked food is usually on offer at most markets.  Specific furniture, book, antique and brocante markets are also very popular with many of these markets attracting lots of visitors.

To be honest there can also be mass produced inferior quality bags and shoes at some markets but these few stalls are usually outnumbered by the abundant number of quality fresh fruit, vegetable, cheese and seafood stalls.

My Local Market at Guingamp

At a local market last weekend I came across a lace seller who has been selling curtains and tablecloth linens for twenty years and after looking through nearly a hundred curtain options I settled on a thick silk panelled curtain sold by the metre.

You may have noticed the beautiful curtains hanging in the small windows of French homes and cafes.  To purchase your curtain you first decide on your pattern, which often comes in numerous lengths, and then buy the panels by the metre.  You then cut your panels to size at home and hang. Most curtains and panels have embroidered holes ready to slip a rod straight through. Very easy… no edging or hemming!

I over purchased by three to four panels to allow some flexibility as I could not remember exactly the measurements of my kitchen french doors.  I was aiming for three panels each approximately 70cm wide.  My french doors open onto my front yard and I didn’t want to obsure the view too much so I opted for an open design that only comes down 1/3 of the window panels.

You can see the edge of the panel which has been cut to size with the little knobs of fibres showing.  I will not trim these any closer so that the fibres do not unravel and from a distance you can’t see this anyway.

Earlier this morning we said goodbye to the first of the families staying with us this trip, so after changing all beds and tidying up I cut and hung my curtains… what a treat!

French Country Home

So, another little job completed at our French country home.  Each holiday we make improvements and continue to make our home personalised and cosy.  A home is really where you enjoy your friends and family and once again we have been blessed to have two families stay with us and entertain two other families for dinner.  Now we are smaller in number, I will have to seriously adjust the meal quantities!

I hope you are enjoying time with your family and friends and I look forward to sharing more about France with you.

Related Articles:  Want to know the secrets of finding markets and brocante stores in France?  Then read Finding French Antiques and Vintage Items in France and of course if you want to wander around markets in Paris searching for your own antiques and vintage items, then join me on our 7 day small group Classic Paris Tour

Annette Charlton

Annette lives with her family between their homes in France and Australia.  She’s been featured in International magazines including French Property News, on numerous blogs and travel websites and appeared on ABC National Radio. You can connect on Instagram or Facebook.

www.afrenchcollection.com