Francophiles are sure to flip over the French Flea Market’s showcase of antiques and vintage wares as over 30 antique dealers converge at Cornerstone Sonoma this weekend.
Hosted by Cornerstone’s French-inspired boutique Chateau Sonoma, the weekend aims to transport buyers and window-shoppers alike to a classic Parisian flea market, such as Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen.
Rummaging flea markets is a tradition for the French who, with Gallic intensity, explore markets in cities and villages to find an overlooked Hermes scarf, a post-Cubist gouache, an old pottery jug, a rhinestone tiara, an ebony cheese knife.
At Cornerstone, French-born musician Michel Saga provides an antique box organ soundtrack for a weekend of perusing the creme de la creme of bric-a-brac, exotic curios and antiques on display.
From vintage clothing to antique pottery, vendors come from throughout the Northwestern US to barter and bargain their wares to shoppers. Prices are reasonable: items are sold at wholesale prices with the hopes that everyone leaves avec un petit souvenir.
Realizing that treasure hunting can be energy intensive, the market serves sausages and rosé to quaff with your beret at a rakish tilt.
The French Flea Market takes place May 27 & 28, 10AM-5PM. The market is free. 23588 Arnold Dr., Sonoma. chateausonoma.com