Take a Seat

Whether it's out in the sunlight, or inside next to a cozy fireplace... you still need somewhere to sit.

Finding these beauties on our travels was a bonus we were happy to discover!

A good book, movie or warm sunshine can keep you happy for a time, but the right seat will keep you happier for longer.

Castle chair - 1940s
Holland/Belgium

Reproduced chair to look similar to Louis-style
1950s

Tub chairs - 1950s

Pink velvet Napoleon III tub chairs & couch
1900 - 1920

French Bench - 1880s

Green Set - Late 1800s to early 1900s

SOLD - French sofa
1800s to early 1900s

Fill in the Gaps

Looking for a space filler? Or maybe a conversation piece? Miscellanous trinkets fulfill both requirements, and add a bit of flair to your home while doing it!

Catholic Domes - Casing for religious statues

Bottle-stand from cellar - to dry wine/champagne bottles

Column to hold bust statues - French

Print of a Rembrandt
Clock with candelabra - France (1800)
Coffee table - Marble to (1940)
Girl with Dog (1950)
Pink Chairs - Empire style (late 1800s to early 1900s)

Keys (Various)

Finding What You're Missing

There are those empty spaces all around the house; on the wall, on a shelf, or even on your work desk. Finding the perfect item that ties everything in, is more often than not, a miscellaneous piece.

While on our travels, we discovered many little (and large) trinkets. 

Sometimes used as show pieces, paper weights, or even door stops. From authentic garden tools, to a legitimate Doctor's case, we found them all!

Doctor's case (1900)

Costume Jewellry - Brooch (1950)

Trinkets (Various)

Trinkets (Various)

Window Shutters

Garden Implements

Home is where the Heart is...

A month away from home, and we cant believe it's over! 

We're back now, and it's time to re-discover all the treasures we found on our travels.

After finding all that we did, it seems like there isn't enough room in our store... But happiness comes with being surrounded by what you love, and we LOVE French Antiquary!

There's nothing in the world like a good home-coming

We're back, and open for business!

Go French, it's the only way...

 

Hotel-Le-Verger

Our amazing trip has come to an end, but not before a full week's rest in the Loire Valley, spending it at the delightful Hotel-Le-Verger.

We stayed there 7 years ago, and we'll be going back to stay there again many times if we can!

The only way to describe the time we spent there is that it was 'a real warm French welcome' from the owners, a lovely young couple who were very helpful.

We loved the fact that the wife was friendly, and tiny, just like a real French Lady! 

We reccommend that if anyone is travelling in that direction that they should go and stay there, they will not regret it!

Visit their FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/H%C3%B4tel-Le-Verger/299108280113568 or the website

http://www.hotel-le-verger.com for more information.

 A bientôt.

Beautiful greenery in all directions - a stunning view.

The back of the Hotel.

The name says it all!

Orleans and Amboise - History in France

Seven years ago we travelled through Amboise, and we decided to backtrack the steps we took then.

We saw Chateau de Amboise, as well as Leonardo da Vinci's home, Clos Luce, where you can see all the inventions he built.

We discovered that many people in Amboise still reside in the Cave Houses; these are houses that are built into the side of the mountain, with the appearance of normal houses from the front, but are in fact caves.

Once in Orleans, we visited the church where Jean de Arc (Joan of Arc) was baptised. 

Travelling around Orleans, we saw beauty in absolutely everything! We also visited a castle, and the vast gardens took our breaths away, one part in particular reminding us of Monet's painting.

Housing in Ambiose

Chateau de Ambiose, da Vinci made alterations for King Francois I.

The church where Joan of Arc was baptised

A cave house

A beautiful carousel

A tapestry of Joan of Arc

Gardens at the castle

The maintenance it must take to keep these gardens looking perfect has to be incredible!

Monet's painting is a close second to the beauty we discovered.

France in the Background

We made our way around town, and found these houses, which we at first thought were quite romantic, until we walked inside and saw how small they really were!

We stumbled across a market where the residents put the furniture just outside their houses, and sell their items right on their doorsteps! We thought this fascinating and loved the fact that people could still live like this.

The beauty of this town is in everything, even the roads!

Most windows have similar crocheted window hangings.

This is a house! Just look at the height of the door!

"Front-Door Market" - where you bought items right from the person's front step.

Relaxation Starts Here...

The container is packed, and all we need to do now is spend our time enjoying France in all its glory! 

First stop - a market, of course, but this time it's just for me!

We reached this beautiful town named Beaugency, about 6km from where we stayed and while we were seated at a local corner shop (called a Tabac), an entire wedding ceremony came past us! 

We learnt the tradition is that the two familes will walk with the bride and groom down the street, signifying that they are being invited into each other's families.

David celebrated his 61st birthday while we were there, and we were lucky enough to have our landlords invite us in and treat us like family. It meant the world to us. Dave still goes on about how fantastic everyone treated us.

Dave posing in Beaugency

Just a little something for me

In the Tabac

The Bride and Groom took time out of their special day to pose for us

Violet and Kendall also celebrated their birthdays with Dave, though it wasn't his 100th birthday!

We were treated like family, and it was such a treat to have this Home-Away-From-Home.

Packing the container in France

Knives and delicous French food

Today we headed towards one of our contacts to buy furniture and also to see a beautiful church.

En-route, we discovered a knife store.....literally a whole store - just with knives!  Around 5000 knives in total.  Just amazing.

After that, we visited Barbara who treated us to the most delicious 4 course French meal.  After hotel and restaurant food, we appreciated it so much.  Thanks to Barbara for opening her gorgeous house to us.  Barbara is such a typical French lady - tiny, beautiful, kind, hospitable and she has a huge friendly dog!

Patrys at the knife shop

Patrys enjoying Barbara's hospitality

Barbara - Chef extraordinaire!