There certainly was a nice view from my window in the view room where I woke up Sunday morning at La Maison Sur la Sorgue.
This was my second stay here and it felt like coming home, again.
Below Mother Mary, the ancient rooftops and that incredible blue sky, the Sunday market was set up right beneath my windows.
{note: marinating olives, preserved lemons, roasted tomatoes, pickled peppers and other perfect picnic fare that I gazed down upon}.
After an elegant breakfast with Eric Clapton rocking in the background
{note: apples poached with cinnamon in clear containers to the left}.
Juicy citrus slices, earthy cheeses, charcuterie and fresh breads were met with hot, freshly scrambled eggs served just a few minutes after this shot.
It was hard to pull away from the paper and that second cappuccino, but the point of the trip was the market.
I zipped through the food section though I was very tempted by white truffles,
the amazing aroma of this sauté of pork, olives and other vegetables
and all of these fragrant sides that would have been wonderful to add to any Sunday lunch.
I did slow down to enjoy a few tastes of these exquisite artisan cheeses.
There were also enticing fresh flowers for the table, including hyacinths, one of my favorites to force indoors in the winter
and buckets of mimosa.
Then finally, for dessert, massive hunks of fresh nougat.
But my business, this trip, was not in this section of the market.
I made the drive to explore the right bank of the Sorgue, where vendors had unloaded their trucks full of antiques and brocante {right where my car was parked the night before :)}.
In addition to the street vendors there inviting bridges and arches that lead to the enclaves I had mentioned last post. In this shot you can see the shop owners and their guests drinking wine and snacking in the center of Passage du Pont (L’ile aux Brocantes). When someone goes into their shop they give them a few minutes to explore and then check to see if there are anything you désirez….. if one of the vendors had gone to lunch, the other shopkeepers fill in.
There are many inviting little shops
filled with gorgeous pieces in ancient, cozy surrounds.
But there is also plenty of overflow around the square, for instance, surprisingly, this monstrous chandelier and the taxidermy live in a 3 sided tent on the square.
Though it seemed fine on this crisp, sunny January day.
Business was definitely much slower than usual, but this is a lifestyle for most of these dealers. Even though they weren’t expecting as many customers as they may see in the summer months, they enjoy coming together to share their Sunday.
Many of them probably travel from town to town throughout the week for the brocantes (each town in Provence has it a different day), but Sunday at L’isle sur la Sorgue is the major brocante in the area. While I was there we had a brief rainstorm, all of the dealers rushed to protect their precious merchandise, but while they were rushing about many stopped to point out the beautiful double rainbow in the sky.
It’s not an easy lifestyle, and I really respect these dealers because I think their artistic hearts and love of beauty, particularly French beauty, is what compels them.
Hoping you find something beautiful at the end of your rainbow this weekend.
Emily this post is AMAZING. Every one of my senses came alive as I read over it and oohed and aahed over every pictures…..truly gorgeous!
Lucky lady, and did you buy the white truffles? Just watched the most interesting documentary on them..total fascinating.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Dear Emily, how wonderful an experience! I love seeing the offerings as well as the double rainbow!! I hope that you found some very special items!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena New Feature
So gorgeous, Emily. And I think that you really hit upon the spirit of the brocanteurs too.
I am also glad to hear your thoughts on La Maison de la Sorgue as I regularly suggest it to people!
Bon Weekend…
Tina, I didn't buy the truffles this time, just because I was flying solo. I guess I could have brought it home.
Karena, I was pleased have found one of the things I was looking for, more on that to come.
Heather, La Maison it a real gem, I'm sure your followers are more than satisfied with your recommendations. Thank you for the terminology "brocanteurs", perfect. It's fun to hear your perspectives on the area.
Oh wow…I want to BE you!!! Gorgeous photos, Emily!!! xoxo
Oh my gosh! I stay jealous! Everything is so beautiful. Enjoy your trip.
Teresa
xoxo
What amazing image, Emily and the double rainbow…wow! Love "traveling" along with you!!