Oui! Annual favorite fête the “French Flea Market” returns to Cornerstone Sonoma on May 26 and 27. This year’s market will feature over 30 antique and vintage dealers showcasing handpicked wares sure to fascinate even the fussiest of Francophiles.
Hosted by Cornerstone’s French-inspired boutique Chateau Sonoma, the weekend aims to transport visitors 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 Louis Vuitton suitcase, an undiscovered impressionist painting, delicate table linens, wooden wine openers, or perhaps a gently used little black dress (made by Chanel, preferably!).
At Cornerstone, French-born musician Michel Saga provides an antique barrel organ soundtrack for a weekend of perusing the creme de la creme of bric-a-brac, exotic curios and antiques on display.
The French Flea Market has been named thee “Best French Flea in America” by French Country Style magazine; its vendors come from throughout the Northwestern United States to barter and bargain their wares, which include trinkets and treasures as varied as clay pots to handcrafted furniture. Prices are reasonable: items are sold at wholesale prices with the hope 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 26 & 27, 10am-5pm. The market is free. 23588 Arnold Dr., Sonoma. chateausonoma.com