a french tradition: the gingerbread & ham antique fair
bonjour from paree~coming to you from a day of shopping on the outskirts of paris to visit a fair that happened to be happenning while we’re here. i’ve always wanted to check out the foire de chatou which is held on what’s affectionately known as ‘the island of the impressionists’ from a time when painters like monet and renoir created some of their most famous works here.
today chatou hosts a fair that’s been a tradtion since the middle ages, having moved around a lot and finally finding its home twice a year in this idyllic spot. it’s definitely worth a trip if you’re here at the right time of year.
how it became known as the fair of ham and gingerbread is another story and you can read all about it on the fair’s website linked above.
like all things in paris it’s taken on an air of a pleasant afternoon strolling through chic stands and trying to decide what to get when you want it all. well, almost all.
there was a mix of furniture, lighting and linens
with the displays full of smalls including glass, paintings and statuary
i guess i was a little obsessed with this vendor but there was so much creativity in his tiny space
i had an urge to leave with garden goodies, and maybe cause i just got a dog, fell in love with these.
but i had to be realistic about shipping this time, and sneaking these in with my carry-on was not gonna work
so instead we enjoyed the weather and ate like kings and queens
the food and desserts were gorgeous, but i was so busy eating that i didn’t get too many photos of the food
when we were fully nourished i vowed to stick with paper and ephemera starting with this old portable writing set, aka early laptop
these engravings were hand tinted, matted in gray and hung in coral frames
we found some of our own and decided to frame them at home
as both a book and handwriting lover i’m always looking for journals and ledgers. under a table was one from a boulangerie
and i couldn’t resist these artist sketchbooks from the 1800s
suffice it to say i wanted it all
puppet theater
i have a weakness for what the french call all things ‘gallant’, aka erotica to us, basically all things ‘boudoir’
but as scarlet said, ‘tomorrow is another day’ and iit’s getting late. but before signing off, as promised, have hit the RaNdOm NuMbER Generator to give away the books from the last post. and the winners are Deborah McReynolds and Catherine.
if you can send me your addresses the books can go out next week when i get back. but if you didn’t win that one, we do have another, brought to you by richard nahem of i prefer paris. he’s a friend of mine living in paris and has started a monthly subscription of postcards featuring his beautiful shots around the city. the first month’s set is up for today’s giveaway so if you’re interested just say the word and we’ll do another drawing tomorrow. et alors, it’s time to shut it down, good night!
ipreferparis.net/2015/09/eye-prefer-paris-postcards-official-launch-.html
petal press atelier replied:
Love your posts! Thank you, and I would love postcards!
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September 26, 2015 at 12:36 am. Permalink.
Suzanne replied:
Bonjour!!! Love how you’re having fun and finding so many swoon worthy treasures!!
You must add me to the next drawing because, I too, prefer Paree!!! XOXOXO 👯❤️👯
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September 26, 2015 at 12:47 am. Permalink.
Shara Switala replied:
I just love hearing of your journeys. Never been!
Sent from my iPhone
>
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September 26, 2015 at 1:06 am. Permalink.
ayesha4827 replied:
Oh, the fair sounds absolutely marvellous, it’s just the sort of place I would find myself in if I ever get to go to Paris.And I am sure I would spend every last penny I had buying all these wonderful goodies.
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September 26, 2015 at 1:31 am. Permalink.
Melissa Harrison replied:
THANKS FOR TODAYS TOUR, LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL OF THEM AND YES COUNT ME IN FOR THE NEXT DRAWING , ENJOY YOUR TIME THERE WISH I was there ,
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September 26, 2015 at 5:21 am. Permalink.
Nancy flemming replied:
I am finall in France at the se time as you! I saw there was a boat tour that leaves from Paris to the Island; will try to take. Am in Pontorson and then Bayeaux and then back to Paris for a few more days. Bon jour!
Nancy
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September 26, 2015 at 7:13 am. Permalink.
Karena Albert replied:
I would never have known about this fair Claudia, I wish I were there with you in France!! Have a fabulous time!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
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September 26, 2015 at 1:10 pm. Permalink.
Teddee Grace replied:
I’m caring for a sick friend and have been unable to read all of my normal blog postings, but opened yours! This looks so interesting and the weather seemed perfect. Yes, count me in for the post card giveaway!
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September 26, 2015 at 4:37 pm. Permalink.
Chandra Keller replied:
I thoroughly enjoy escaping to Paris through your blog posts! Please enter me into the postcard giveaway. Bon jour!
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September 27, 2015 at 3:15 pm. Permalink.
Skip replied:
Dabangg has come and gone. But TMK is coming up. And so TMK’s PR department is feeding (maybe even paying) media to come up with such stories. This is how hype is built for a movie Personally I like Munni more but it would have helped if Mallika hadn’t looked so thin in the song. A song like that needs a voluptous figure. This where Sheela scores inspite of uninspiring chhroograpey.And yeah, there is no doubt that Sheela has been accepted big time!
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February 28, 2017 at 9:38 am. Permalink.
iolacontessa replied:
I have that dog bed in the first photo.You can buy here in CALIFORNIA!I have been to that FLEA IT’s A GOOD ONE!!!!!!!!!!
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September 27, 2015 at 10:55 pm. Permalink.
Barnhart, Blair replied:
Did you by chance buy or see how much the board with the changeable date was that is in the photo with the portable writing set? It looks to be green with the knobs that change the day, month, year?
blair w. barnhart-hinkle, Esq.
Director, Government Relations
Cleveland Clinic
25875 Science Park Drive
AC1-2-227
Beachwood, OH 44122
Office 216.448.0399
Cell 216.312.4030
Email barnhab@ccf.org
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September 28, 2015 at 2:13 pm. Permalink.
Mom replied:
Beautiful, as usual!
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September 29, 2015 at 11:12 pm. Permalink.
Maggie H replied:
I absolutely love your blog, it’s so inspiring!I I would love to be entered in your postcard giveaway! Thank you
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September 30, 2015 at 7:18 pm. Permalink.
tonjac replied:
Just now catching up on ally blog posts, so I didn’t read this until today. I don’t see where you did a drawing for the postcards, so if you didn’t I’d love a chance to win them – I follow Richard’s blog too. If you did, well congrats to the winner then. :). Thanks for this great post!
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October 4, 2015 at 11:47 pm. Permalink.
tonjac replied:
I meant “all my blog posts” :)
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October 4, 2015 at 11:49 pm. Permalink.
robin replied:
I didn’t realize the Piggly Wiggly pig had been to Paris! Good to see him on the poster.
Also I’d like to enter into the drawing.
Thanks,
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January 25, 2016 at 2:14 pm. Permalink.