Your Guide to Treasure Hunting in the North Dordogne
Discover the joy of treasure hunting in the North Dordogne, where charming antiques markets and lively brocantes meet modern factory outlets. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a lover of unique vintage bargains, this region offers abundant opportunities to find timeless pieces. As former owners of a vintage boutique (we ran The Eye of Time in the UK), we know exactly where to find the best treasures. At Beaux Souvenirs, we're always happy to share our insider knowledge and help plan your antiquing adventures.
Vide Grenier in Summer at Chateau Jumilhac
Understanding French Antiques Markets
When exploring the world of antiques and second-hand treasures in North Dordogne, understanding the local terminology helps:
- Antiques: High-quality, valuable, and often historic items sold by professional dealers.
- Brocantes/Flea Markets (Marché aux Puces): Informal markets selling second-hand goods and antiques, usually held in village settings.
- Vide-Greniers: Community car boot sales or rummage sales where locals sell household items—great for unexpected finds.
- Vide Maison/Vide Château: House or château clearances, usually held when the owner is selling up and needs to clear contents.
- Braderies: Larger street fairs combining seasonal shop clearances with local festivities.
- Permanent Shops & Brocantes: Established stores and centres with expert vendors offering curated collections year-round. Antique centres are relatively rare in France.
- Trocs (Dépôt-vente): Large warehouses where people deposit household items for sale on commission. Can be a treasure trove!
- Charity Shops/Resale Centres (Recycleries): French charity shops, known as boutiques solidaires or friperies, include large chains like Emmaüs and various smaller local charities such as the Red Cross. Unlike in the UK, charity shops are rare and usually located on business parks.
You never know what you treasures you might find!
What to Expect at French Markets
Markets, brocantes and vide-greniers in North Dordogne generally take place on Sundays and bank holidays from April to October, although some run monthly throughout the year, weather permitting!
Unlike UK car boot sales, vide-greniers are open from 8 am until about 5 pm, giving you plenty of time to enjoy several in one day. Arriving early is still key to finding the best bargains and the widest selection.
What You'll Find:
A fascinating mix of treasures ranging from knick-knacks and old china—including the famous Limoges porcelain—to delicate painted glass, clothing, crisp white vintage bed linen, Tin-Tin books, records, postcards, classic vintage items, and collectable toys. Be prepared to sift through some dross, but that's all part of the fun and thrill of the hunt!
Food at Markets:
Many vide-greniers and markets feature a communal sit-down area where visitors can enjoy basic lunch snacks. Usually, you'll find simple French sticks (baguettes) with local sausages, served with chips, and washed down with a cold beer or soft drink. It's a great way to relax, mingle with locals, and soak up the authentic atmosphere while taking a break from treasure-hunting.
Indoor Shopping:
Indoor hunting usually takes place in shops and centres. Some are open all week, others Thursday to Saturday, and most close for at least 2 hours for lunch, so it always pays to check before making a journey. Welcome to France's vintage market scene!
Tips for buying at French Markets
Cash is King: Most sellers prefer cash, though some professional dealers accept cards. Not all villages have cash points, and there's usually a withdrawal limit, so plan or bring plenty of cash.
Haggling is Expected: At both vide-greniers and brocantes, negotiation is welcome and expected—sometimes just for the sport of it! Keep it reasonable, though—there can be a bit of pride among sellers, especially the brocanteurs, and you don't want to insult them.
Mind Your Manners: French etiquette applies even at open markets, so always start with a "Bonjour!"
Planning Your Visits: For up-to-date listings and event calendars, websites like Broc à Brac and Vide Greniers are excellent resources. Or ask us—we know all the best places!
Vintage Days in Perigueux
Vintage Fashion Hunting
As former owners of The Eye of Time vintage boutique, we have extensive experience sourcing sought-after vintage pieces and designer bargains. In the Dordogne, you need to be creative when looking outside of Paris and Nice.
Where to Look for Vintage Fashion
- Thrift Stores/Friperies: Ideal for more modern items
- Kilo Stores: Buy fashion weighed on scales and charged a set price per kilo
- Vide Dressing: Like vide-greniers, but specific to people selling off their unwanted fashion
- Vintage Shops: Found mainly in cities, including Limoges and Périgueux
- Specialist Vintage Events: Vintage Days in Périgueux: Annual celebration of everything vintage—one of our favourites! Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 55 minutes.
- Consignment Stores: Sell fashion (sometimes vintage) on behalf of clients, usually splitting sales 50/50
- Department Stores with Vintage Departments: Most likely in major cities, including Galeries Lafayette in Limoges
Our Fashion Studio at Beaux Souvenirs
Don't miss our own on-site fashion studio! The collection from our Eye of Time boutique has been lovingly cleaned, steamed and curated. Vintage enthusiasts can view, try on, and purchase timeless designer pieces spanning the 1920s to the 1990s—from daywear to eveningwear, paired with beautifully matched accessories.
Agnelle the home of beautiful gloves, in Saint Junien
Factory Outlets
This region is renowned for its high-quality leather and centuries-old porcelain production. Hermès and other leading brands have been producing superb fashion for many years. Porcelain has been made since the 18th century, and many of the large families making it still exist today.
Many factories have on-site outlet shops, which are well worth a visit to bag a bargain or two!
Limoges Area
Porcelain Outlets:
- Porcelaine Reynaud - Porcelain Distance: 45 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
- Royal Limoges - Porcelain Distance: 56 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
- Boutique Bernardaud - Porcelain Distance: 48 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
- Pavillon de la Manufacture Havilland - Porcelain Distance: 57 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
Other Outlets:
- Limoges - Intersport - Sports outlet Distance: 54 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
- Limoges - J.M. Weston - Luxury footwear Distance: 47 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
- Limoges - Madelaine Bijou - Famous Madeleine cakes Distance: 43 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
- Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche - Village de la Porcelaine - Porcelain outlet and museum Distance: 24 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
- Saint-Junien - Agnelle - Luxury glove manufacturer since 1937. Distance: 38 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
- Saint-Barthélemy-de-Bussière - Repetto - Ballet shoes and footwear Distance: 42 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
- Les Cars - Broussaud Textiles - Socks Distance: 20 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs
Plan Your Treasure Hunting Adventure
From bustling Sunday vide-greniers to prestigious porcelain factory outlets, the North Dordogne offers endless opportunities for treasure hunters and bargain seekers. As former vintage dealers ourselves, we're passionate about helping our guests discover the best markets, shops and hidden gems.
At Beaux Souvenirs, we keep up-to-date market calendars, can recommend the best brocantes for your interests, and share our insider knowledge of where to find specific items. Many guests plan their visits around major vintage events—just ask us for recommendations!
Check Availability | Contact Us for Market Recommendations | Visit Our Fashion Studio