The Art of Antiquing in France: Flea Markets – Brocantes – Antique Shops – Sharon Santoni, Photographs by Joanna Maclennan and Franck Schmitt
Description
The essential guide on what to collect, how to select, and where to find the French antiques of your dreams, complete with expert tips and insider knowledge.
After decades of antique hunting throughout France, Sharon Santoni offers invaluable insight on finding and collecting French antiques—from Provençal quilted boutis to floral transferware to landscape paintings—which exude a singular charm and bring cachet to the home. Through aspirational photographs, interviews with specialized dealers, and the savoir faire of a local, her comprehensive guide includes well-researched descriptions of the most popular French collectibles, including tableware, silverware, paintings, textiles, rugs and tapestries, jewelry, books and illustrations, furniture, chandeliers and mirrors, and architectural and garden details.
Extensive resources complete the book, with advice on where to shop—from professional déballages to live auctions, and from flea markets to annual fairs—along with Sharon’s favorite antique dealers throughout France, a glossary of terms, a buyer’s guide to successful antiquing with useful phrases, and a detailed index. This sumptuous book is an indispensable reference for antique lovers everywhere. A portal to the charm and elegance of French antiques, it embodies the thrill of the hunt and the allure of French style to infuse your home with soul and personality.
Review
We absolutely adore this book! We love Sharon Santoni’s approach to antiquing and her sentiments expressed in her Introduction:
‘Antiquing is less about checking off items and more about opening your mind to serendipity. You go to an antique market hoping to be touched, to feel a connection, and ideally to fall in love.’ and as she also reminds us when talking about not acting on this impulse, ‘When I see something that speaks to me I act. Because in the world of antiques, the only thing worse than buyer’s remorse is missing out on the perfect purchase’
As ever with Flammarion books, this is exquisitely produced, from the cover to the end pages it is richly illustrated with stunning photography, beautiful illustrations which accompany the evocative writing and helpful guidance from Sharon Santoni.
This is a book perfect for an afternoon escape as you plan your journey to explore antiquing in France, or in fact to guide the reader through any form of antique hunting.
The book is divided into the following content:
Introduction
Paintings
Books, Illustrations, Ephemera
Silver Tableware
Ceramics, Glass and Tableware
Rugs and Tapestries
Textiles and Home Linens
Jewelry
Chandeliers and Mirrors
Furniture
Architectural and Garden Antiques
Plus a comprehensive reference section including sources of places to visit and insider tips.
This is such a joyous book to browse, every section is full of fascinating information and packed full of helpful advice not just about collecting, but with inputs from other experts, a really insightful ‘Collector’s Eye’ and historical facts, all presented in an easy to read accessible style of writing.
If you are planning to visit French brocantes, flea markets or antique shops, this is a beautiful and inspirational guide and if you cannot go to France yourself this is a wonderful armchair escape!
Very highly recommended – one of our favourite books of 2026!
The Art of Antiquing in France: Flea Markets – Brocantes – Antique Shops
– Sharon Santoni, Photographs by Joanna Maclennan and Franck Schmitt is published by Editions Flammarion
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