France Mini Series: Sunday Shopping

During my time in France, I've had to learn quickly the best places to shop, when to go, and what to look for (you don't want to be spending unnecessary Euros, right?). As a bargain-hunter at home in the UK, I wasn't going to radically change my shopping habits any time soon. I'll be posting a couple of guides on shopping in the area and throughout France, so I hope you find them useful!

Photo: Flickr

- SUNDAYS -

Sunday is the quietest day of the week for the French; very few shops are open at all on this day, and those that are, close at lunchtime. Emphasis is put upon spending quality time with your loved ones. So not much scope in there for shopping, you'd think?

This doesn't mean that there aren't bargains to be had...they just might not be in shops!

I LOVE markets back home; from jumble sales, flea markets, school fairs, I'll go to anything where the prices might be under a pound for something exciting! Whilst in Cannes, I planned to seek out more of the same. Here I'll list a few resources to seek them out, and the best ones I've found along the Cote D'Azur.

- KEY HUNTING GROUNDS -

Vide Greniers: Your basic Car Boot Sale, translates as "Empty Attic". Here you'll find your usual car boot fair, with people selling unwanted household items along with their shoes from the 1980s.

Marche Aux Puces: Flea Markets! Again pretty similar to Vide Greniers, though you might find some professional "antiquing" types with stalls also.

Brocantes: More along the lines of an Antiques market, but worth a look as sometimes there'll be bric-a-brac within the stalls.

- WHERE TO FIND THEM -

- Check out AngloInfo. I've linked to the Riviera version, but there are numerous networks on here. Take a glance at the What's On guides.

- Vide-Greniers.org. In French, but don't let that put you off - it's pretty self explanatory. You can search by regions & department; the results are in date order and grade the markets by type (bric-a-brac or antiques).

- HOW TO FIND THEM -

With difficulty! If possible, take a sat-nav. Or at very least research thoroughly where the market's meant to be - very rarely will they actually be "next to the church".

- MY FAVOURITES -

A few of the best ones I've found in the Cannes area:

Valbonne Village Vide Grenier (Champ du Pré des Arts, 06220 Valbonne)

Mandelieu Marche Aux Puces (Les Tourrades Retail Park, Mandelieu)

La Brague Vide Grenier (Atibesland, opposite Marineland, RN7, Antibes)

So that's how I spend my Sundays in France! Happy Shopping!

Xxx

If I live here, do I become stylish by association?

It seems everyone is head over heels (yes, that is a pun) for French style. Maybe it's the upcoming Autumn, inspiring us to reach into our wardrobes (and most probably our purses), to invest in a shiny new look for the new season? Search for style guides and you'll be bombarded with tips on how to look timeless and elegant. Key guidelines for dressing on the Riviera seem to be "Don't wear shorts!" and "No flip-flops please!". Hmmm... From what I saw I've seen in Cannes, it seems some people along the Croisette aren't abiding to the guidelines. But I'm here for 4 months, not a week. I don't want to stick out as a 'tourist' for four long months!

I searched for inspiration:

Photos: Tumblr via Liz, Alexandra, Everythingfab.com via Shannon

And so whilst living in France, I'd better try and blend in with the locals. The thing is, I've left my skinnies and trench coat at home in the UK; I didn't think I'd need them for a summer on the Riviera to be honest! But I have do have some tailored items, classic accessories and stripes to hand. I'll have to give it a shot with what I'd packed back in May:

The most French looking outfit I can muster with my limited wardrobe (and my first outfit photos...hmmm)

What do you think? To be honest, I don't think I can pull it off 'comme les Francais', but I quite like it! It does feel a little too much like dressing up for me, but while I went out today like this (and saw a lot of French girls in similar outfits), I didn't feel quite so much like a bumbling English girl wearing someone else's clothes, and felt like I got some approving nods. Maybe I'll feel more comfortable with it when I get back to England in the Autumn, with my full wardrobe, or at least when I pass through Paris in September?

So maybe this is one look I'll pass up on for now... Although if a pair of Isabel Marant boots were to appear in my wardrobe, I wouldn't chuck them out...

What to do think? Have you been inspired by French style? Whilst looking up inspiration on French style, I stumbled upon this amazing book club series hosted by Fabulous Florida Mommy, in which she covers topics within Inès de la Fressange's book, Parisian Chic: A Style Guide. Definitely worth a look if you're honing your own French style!

As ever,

Xxx