The Grande Braderie de Lille

Stuart Buchanan • October 2, 2024

You may have noticed that we haven't uploaded many items over the last couple of months...


We were away on holiday but also visiting the brocantes in France, and we have some lovely items that we will be uploading over the next couple of weeks. Some are one off pieces that we know will sell quickly, so keep an eye on our website, Facebook & Instagram feeds!

  Grande Braderie de Lille 
For those of you that have never visited the Grande Braderie in Lille, it is hard to explain just how huge it is....The whole of the centre of Lille is closed off to all vehicles for the entire weekend!


  Miles of stuff... and people 
The Grande Braderie covers over 100km of streets, lined with everything you can imagine! Antiques, secondhand clothes, toys, magazines, posters, street signs, tables, chairs & everything else you can imagine.


To walk the entire length & see everything would take you over 40 hours, which obviously isn't possible in just one weekend. 


And there are people everywhere enjoying the weekend party atmosphere. Around 2 million people visit Lille during the braderie weekend, so you definitely won't be alone!


If you're planning on going next year, work out what you would like to see & buy, and try to find out where it is using the map and head to that area first!


  Shop till you drop 
If all the stands offering secondhand goods aren't enough for you then most of the major retail shops also have sales on during the braderie, so you can shop till you drop & collapse into a bar for a refreshing drink!


  Moules, Moules, everywhere!

A celebration of Mussels! Every restaurant & cafe in Lille has a special menu for the braderie weekend, and will always be serving Mussels. Marquees & extra tables & chairs are set up outside the restaurants to cater for everyone visiting. And you will find mussels everywhere... Moules Mariniere, Moules a La Creme, Moules with Maroilles Cheese, Moules with Roquefort & much more. But don't worry if you don't like mussels, there are always loads of other delicious food options.


A staggering 500 tons of mussels are consumed in Lille over the braderie weekend!


  When is the Grande Braderie of Lille in 2025?

So if you fancy visiting next year the Grande Braderie de Lille will take place on Saturday the 6th & Sunday the 7th of September 2025...


...and if you're going, let us know as we will be there too!!


Here are a few photos we took at this year's braderie, and don't forget to keep an eye out for the items we purchased there which will be on our website over the next few days!

A group of people are sitting under a tent in front of a row of buildings.
A bunch of wooden wine racks are sitting on the ground.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet
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A table with a lot of items on it at a flea market

Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe
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A table with a sign that says fromagerie de champagne on it

Sands of Time

Stark beauty of desolate dunes
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A group of people are walking down a street talking to each other

Beyond Boundaries

Visual odyssey across continents
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A group of chairs and tables are sitting in front of a tent.
A table with a lot of items on it at a flea market.
A man in a yellow backpack is standing in front of a table with plates on it.

Come & see us at the Detling Antiques Fair

By Stuart Buchanan • October 31, 2024
We will be at the Detling Antiques & Vintage Fair
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