Terrifying dolls that move https://t.co/yvYmntMYMN
— Flavia Dzodan (@redlightvoices) September 1, 2013
(Tweet inserted because that Vine sums up so much of what I’ve seen in the past few days)
I just got back from France where I had a très jolie time. It’s amazing how I kinda recover my ability to speak French after I spend some days immersed in the language; I still speak it horribly and with the weirdest accent but whatever, it seems to be good enough to make extensive conversation, bargain and get around everywhere. There is one cultural difference that always surprises me: by now, after 15 years or so of living in The Netherlands, my Dutch is way, way better than my French ever was. Yet, for all the bad reputation the French get about being arrogant or intolerant of other languages, they are way more patient and understanding with foreign speakers than the Dutch are. Even 15 years later, if a Dutch person so much as detects I speak English, they are quick to switch (and they are very nasty about mispronunciations in Dutch, which I contend is a small language syndrome, as they are not accustomed to hearing a variety of accents or different pronunciations like speakers of more widespread languages do). The French, on the other hand, would go on extensive conversation under the assumption that, if you addressed them in (heavily accented) French, you are good to go as far as communication skills are concerned.
Anyways, I spent some time in the North of France (it is just a couple of hours drive away from Amsterdam; one of the perks of living in The Netherlands is how close and how fast one can be in either Brussels or Lille for a day away or a short vacation). I went to what is considered Europe’s largest flea market, the Lille Braderie, which takes place every first weekend in September since the 13th century. Around 3 million people descend into Lille, from all over Northern Europe (aside from people coming from all over France, the flea market is a favorite for Dutch, English and Belgians who usually make it a weekend trip). It covers around 100 km (60 miles or so) of vendors who range from professional antique dealers to regular folks emptying their attics.
It was the first time I went to this particular flea market (I should probably write more often about going to flea markets as it is something I do a lot, to the point that I am considering opening an Etsy store to sell some of the stuff I acquire, which I can no longer keep because there are only so many decorative objects or vintage household bargains I can hold onto without turning into a hoarder).
I took photos, which I will place under a cut because otherwise this post will get way too long and unreadable.
There were plenty of stuffed animals to pick from (the eyes! the eyes always get me!)
Chests full of medieval armor
If Medieval armour is not your thing, you can always pick some terrifying, more contemporary warfare equipment
This French gentleman with an acute case of nostalgia for the Empire, who only sold Napoleon related memorabilia (and who wore the corresponding attire)
Plenty of Orientalism, in every shape or form (even wearable, which I think would make an excellent companion to the Napoleon dude above, imagine the ironic colonial possibilities here)
Traveling in style, a worthy aspiration
Plenty of antique dolls
Some pretty creepy, like this little doctor/ nurse thing here
Others very cute, like these miniature porcelain figurines (I should have gotten a few; regret is my middle name)
A disembodied head designed by Christian Dior (a bargain considering it can bring a lifetime of horrors simply staring at it)
All the equipment needed to open your very own vintage gas station
Some very stylish antique vendors
And last, but not least, the food. Ah, the food stalls would deserve their own post
I’ve left out dozens of other photos. It is simply impossible to capture the experience in a single post. This was likely the best flea market I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to hundreds throughout the years), probably because of the sheer size but also because of the incredible variety in terms of budgets and quality. If I can afford it next year, I’ll be there first thing in the morning.
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