SAINT-CLÉ s'EXPOSE

It was Saint-Clémentin's time to have a village fair.  The temperature was hovering at 14 degrees and the clouds threatened to burst much of the day, as it had when we woke to a deluge.  There must have been some kind angels looking over the village because the weather actually allowed the good town folk to bring out their wares for a "vide grenier" (much like a communal garage sale), exhibit their antique cars, and let the kids have a spin on the merry-go-round.  Only then did the rain resume its tempest.

I absolutely love these "vide grenier" events.  You never know what kind of treasure lurks in someone's attic or garage - like this very old sewing machine.

A lifetime's passion of collecting key chains.

For your literary pursuits.

Oh my!  I hope all the slides have been transferred to digital.

A butane lamp, or what's left of it.

The fair took place in the square next to the church.

This vendor staked his space under the street sign: Rue du Château.  I couldn't help but think these were "Les hardes du château", the castoffs from the castle. 

Lots of local produce available.  Many brought the last of what's in their gardens.

This smiling gent was keen to show us how to use this spade to dig for oysters.

Someone gave up their oil painting career.

These little squash are delicious stuffed with minced meat.  In fact, most grocery stores sell minced meat already seasoned for this purpose.

The kids went for a spin, round and round.  This was the fastest merry-go-round I've ever seen.  Their hair was flying!

For the adults, other pleasures to make their heads spin.  The "Buvette" served wine, beer, cider, and other shot glasses of a liquid and colour unfamiliar to me.  We ate some fries and they were so good, it's no wonder they are known as "French" fries!

All things honey, including honey beer.  Have you ever had honey beer?  I should have bought a bottle.

The antique cars display.  Very different than those from North America since they deal with European makes and models.

All types of goat cheese.

 

 

I was actually more interested in the Paris case used for storing the cash than with the jewelry.

A still working bellows for 3 Euros.  What a bargain!

French cookbook for 1 Euro.  It looked brand new!  Too bad it was so heavy for my suitcase.

The alligator face is still there, in case you don't believe this is pure alligator skin...

I was looking for easels a while back.  These looked in really good condition.

Ladders for a trade worker, or for someone washing tall windows.

Galvanized tubs. 

 

When I showed interest in this tea set, the woman opened the box and showed me the entire set which must have served 8!  The creamer was still there, but not the sugar bowl.

We eyed this little heater and wondered if it was still working.  We could use it in our rental place.  Those stone walls are good at keeping things cool in the summer, but keep things mighty cold when the temperature dips.  Our thermometer indicates that it's cooler in the house than outside! 

Look at this great laser level! 

This is the house across from us and we drive by it every time we go somewhere.  It was built by the owner, a mason, and looks so beautiful.  We just love it.

So went the little Village Fair in St. Clémentin, the town with a sense of humour in its advertising: Saint-Clé s'Expose.

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"Our walls of division do not rise all the way to heaven."

 

~  Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow