The Washerwoman

Monday 4 May 2009

What I love about France.......

Just got home from a wonderful few days in France. The weather was mixed as you can see, but here are some of the things that caught my eye. I love the stunning architecture of the cathedrals.

I love the fact that you can buy delicious sausages from barbecue-stands on every street corner on market day....


Secret gardens behind beautiful rusty old gates, and beautiful domestic architecture.


Very shabby Vide Greniers in the middle of small towns. Unlike the Car boots sales in this country everyone is relaxed and jolly, happy to haggle and they make a day of it. Even the rain doesn't deter the French, they just cover their stands with clear plastic sheeting and stand under their umbrella until it stops.


The lilac was particularly prolific this year, as was the wisteria and blossom.




Sunset over the graveyard, not a blade of grass in sight.. very French!







I love this old painted sign above the cottage where we stayed....






Flower shops bursting with colour were so tempting. I could have filled the back of the car with pots of hydrangea......





Another street market with an amazing cupboard that I would have loved to have brought home, but the car was filling up fast with vintage dresses, old linen smocks, flowery textiles, picture frames & some very pretty enamel teapots & jugs!





... and where else could you buy an ancient Mercedes hearse for £900!!!!! (but I resisted the temptation!!!!)












9 comments:

Country Cottage Chic said...

Glad to read that you had a good time! Looking forward to seeing what you found there.
Thanks for the tickets - I'll see you next week!

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Liz

Can't wait to see your purchases. Are you doing Shepton? I can't remember!

Sue x

Tinyholder said...

I love France too. Looks like you had a wonderful time. We did think about completely upping sticks and moving there at one stage.

I don't like Hydrangeas - I have one in my garden that I'm trying to get rid of. Interested? :-)

menopausalmusing said...

The French are just SO sorted aren't they? x

Niki Fretwell said...

Oooo...Lucky you Liz, you can't beat France in the springtime... wish I could have been there too...
Glad that you had a successful visit. (Hope all was well on your return too ;-))
Niki x

The fabric of my life said...

Hahaha Lizzie how could you pass on the hearse? If you had bought that just think how much stuff you could have brought back ;-)

Looking forward to seeing your goodies soon x

BusyLizzie said...

Thank you for your comments. I have been busy washing, sorting & pricing my purchases today. Some will be ready to take to Honiton tomorrow & the rest will come with me to Shepton on Friday!
Would love to take up the offer of the Hydrangea, but not sure how well they travel!!!!
Lizzie x

Diane said...

We all love France, its all about "living". I love the food you get on their markets, especially the chicken and potatoes - superb when washed down with cheap, but lovley red wine.

SweetScarlett said...

Love all of the photos you took about where you visited, and one day, maybe I can visit them, too!
xxx
Maggie