Last Sunday we participated at our
first 'vide grenier', literally attic emptying. It is the
French equivalent of a British car boot sale or US yard sale.
In France it is illegal to put up a sign and sell on your doorstep.
So that leaves two choices, either selling through a website such as
the 'Bon coin' or to participate in a vide grenier. Ours was
organised by the 'Sou des ecoles', this is an association which
raises money for the local primary school. The money pays for
extra materials and helps with school trips. After paying an
entrance fee we were assigned two tables and chairs in the 'salle de
fete'.
Eight clock Sunday morning found me
bleary eyed with a car full of toys, books, clothes and knick
knacks. The 'vide grenier' was being held in the
'salle de fete' (village hall). I found our allotted tables and
began to set out the stall. The sales were supposed to start at
10am but the first bargain hunters were already on the prowl. I made my first sale at 9am, and was proud to have
recuperated our entrance fee. At 10 am by wife arrived to take
over, and of course rearranged my layout! I meanwhile visited
some of the other stalls. I had decided not to buy anything,
after all the objective was to have a clear out and not pick up more
clutter. In general people were selling the same as us, so I
wasn't too tempted. The stage had been reserved for
the 'depot vente'. This was an area were people who had clothes
to sell, but didn't want to have a stall, could leave them and have
them sold by the association. A small 'buvette' (drinks area)
provided free coffee for the stallholders, and sold drinks to the
buyers.
It was a wet weekend so things were
pretty busy, despite a lull between 12 and 2, while people had
lunch. Our best sales were toys and some children's books in
English. At 4pm we decided to call it a day and counting our
takings were satisfied to discover we had made 100€.
Now I'm looking forward to the next
'brocante' (antiques fair) to spend our earnings.
