Brocantes, flea markets, and the art of antiquing in France
Release Date: 05/18/2026
The 15th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
The Earful Tower: Paris
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it. In this episode for the 15th arrondissement, it's content creator Gaby Hafner who lives in the district and absolutely loves it. Mentioned in this episode: Sang Bong Lo: 8 Rue Viala, 75015 Paris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ssang_bong_lo/?hl=en Café du Commerce: 51 Rue du Commerce, 75015 Paris Website: Marché Grenelle: Boulevard de Grenelle (between Dupleix and La Motte-Picquet Metro stations) Rue du Commerce: A major shopping street with boutiques...
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The 16th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
The Earful Tower: Paris
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season. As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known as arrondissements. They may as well be kingdoms, at least for this podcast season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it. In this episode, it's YouTuber Jay Swanson who has lived in the 16th for over a decade. I met him in the Passy Cemetery, here’s what he had to say. Mentioned in this episode: Museums & Culture Passy Cemetery Trocadéro Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris Palais de Tokyo Palais Galliera...
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Grand Palais: Eight things you probably didn’t know it
The Earful Tower: Paris
G is for Grand Palais. In this episode, we present eight facts (well, nine) about the magnificent Grand Palais. This is a mixture of entertaining, informative, and practical facts, so you'll certainly get something out of it! The music is from Pres Maxson. This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life. The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $10 a month you can unlock...
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Five more awesome things to find in Provence
The Earful Tower: Paris
We've been exploring Provence this week and here we share some good tips with you. Mentioned in this episode: The Pont du Gard, a 2,000-year-old Roman acqueduct Robion, a sleepy village that's perfect for a glass of Ricard L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, where we bought our house and recorded this episode Fontaine de Vaucluse, aka Rivendell from Lord of the Rings The Sénanque Abbey with its monks and lavendar The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson. This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter....
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Meet the Clown Bringing the Fringe Festival back to Paris
The Earful Tower: Paris
F is for Fringe Festival. In this episode, I talk with Australian clown and actor Jasper Foley about how he (and his team) are bringing the famed international theatre and performing arts festival back to the City of Light. Paris. Also: What's life like as a trained clown in Paris? What happens at the famed Ground Control in Paris? And how can you support the arts in Paris, even if you're not here? Here's the link to donate and support the upcoming Fringe Festival: Here's the link to get tickets to the show, Sep 9th to 13th, 2026: Here's the link to the episode of...
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Inside the US embassy's July 4th party in Paris
The Earful Tower: Paris
E is for Embassy. And in this case, I'm talking about the US Embassy's Garden Party to mark 250 years of Independence with a capital I. And guess what: I was there! So this podcast is just me, Oliver Gee, talking about my night among the Americans for their Fourth of July bash. And here's the video from INSIDE the US ambassadorial residence that I mentioned in the show, from a year ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygYRLRg--70 The music is from Pres Maxson. This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin...
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Unique apartments in Paris: Inside a domed rooftop home
The Earful Tower: Paris
It's sweltering in Paris right now and life is unbearable for many. Not least for those who live under the zinc rooftops. The whole city comes to a standstill in these heatwaves, but those in the rooftops suffer the most, perhaps. So, while The Earful Tower puts business as usual aside like everyone else, we figured we could take a look back at an episode about another rooftop: The domed cupolas of Paris. Today's episode is a segment from an episode in early 2022, where I interviewed an American woman called Sarah who lived in such a dome. Here's the chat. . This episode is brought...
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How we launched our newest children's book in Paris
The Earful Tower: Paris
Every year or so, Lina and I make a children's book. Sophie in Paris is the fifth. And every time, once the books arrive, we hit the streets of Paris to deliver them ourselves. Bookshops, museums, all of it. This episode is about that part. Not the writing, not the illustrating, but the launching - which we find to be one of the most enjoyable bits. The envelopes, the deliveries, the doors we knock on. So, for our second new episode this week, we're focusing on D for Deliveries. Five books in, the operation has grown. This new book, Sophie in Paris, has been our biggest yet, and Lina...
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Alain Delon and the murder that shook Paris
The Earful Tower: Paris
D is for Delon, Alain Delon. Author Edward Chisholm is back on the podcast, this time talking about his new book Murder in Paris '68. We recorded this one on location - sitting on the quai by the Seine, directly beneath the Quai des Orfèvres, the famous Paris police headquarters that has watched over the city's darkest crimes for centuries. Fitting, then, that we were there to talk about one of France's most explosive unsolved murders. In 1968, a body was discovered on the outskirts of Paris and identified as Stevan Marković, the former bodyguard and close associate of the enigmatic film...
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Exploring the Paris district where the Statue of Liberty was built
The Earful Tower: Paris
New episode: Let's take a deeper dive into the 17th arrondissement of Paris. You've hopefully already heard the previous episode, where Tom Vickers shared his thoughts on the 17th Kingdom. In this brand new episode, I kept exploring the 17th with my wife (and our new intern Victoria Hughes). Relevant places to find: Musée national Jean-Jacques Henner 43 avenue de Villiers, 75017 A beautiful 19th-century townhouse museum dedicated to the dreamy, atmospheric paintings of Alsatian artist Jean-Jacques Henner (1829–1905), tucked into the elegant Plaine Monceau neighbourhood....
info_outlineB is for Brocantes! This podcast episode features an interview with Sharon Santoni, a long-time expert on French lifestyle and author of the book "The Art of Antiquing in France."
She discusses the nuances of the "brocante", which she defines as accessible antiques that possess a unique history and patina.
The conversation explores the cultural importance of repurposing vintage items and provides practical advice for navigating famous markets like the Puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris and fairs in Provence.
Sharon shares her personal journey from starting a blog in 2010 to building a community centered on French country aesthetics. Additionally, she shares tips for international travelers on how to identify quality pieces, negotiate prices, and transport treasures home.
Key Links and Websites
Sharon Santoni’s Official Website: www.myfrenchcountryhome.com
This is the primary hub for her blog (started in 2010), her My French Country Home magazine, and her boutique.
The Book: “The Art of Antiquing in France” – Published by Flammarion, this book serves as both a reference and a coffee table book and is fully illustrated with photographs by Sharon Santoni, Franck Schmitt, and Joanna Maclennan.
Books are available worldwide from your favorite local bookseller and signed editions can be purchased directly via her website on this link.
Antique Fair Locator: Sharon mentions the website, www.brocabrac.fr, which is a helpful resource for finding fairs happening across France on any given weekend
Places Mentioned
The episode covers several iconic and local spots for antiquing and living in France:
In Paris:
Les Puces de Saint-Ouen: Located on the northern perimeter of Paris, Sharon describes it as a unique place in the world with over 500 vendors and specialized knowledge in everything from paintings to textiles
Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves: A weekend morning market Sharon and Oliver both enjoy for its "authentic vibe." It is known for its urgency, as dealers unpack from cars at 8:00 AM and pack up by 12:30 PM
Foire de Châtou: A large, prestigious 10-day antique fair held just outside of Paris
In Provence and Southern France:
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue: This town is famous for its antique dealers and weekend markets.
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon: A "wonderful" fair mentioned by Sharon
Carpentras: Another "fantastic" fair located in the south
In Normandy and Northern France:
The Eure Valley (Val de l'Eure): Sharon lives in the Normandy countryside, roughly halfway between Paris and Deauville, near the famous village of Giverny
Amiens: A northern city (noted as the home of Emmanuel Macron) that hosts a spectacular fair where selling starts as early as midnight
Lille: Known for its massive fair, though Sharon notes it is so large it can be "scary" because it includes items beyond just antiques
Notable Details for Antiquing
Brocante vs. Antiques: Sharon defines brocante as "relaxed antiques", a mix of items with patina and repurposed pieces, whereas the "antique world" typically involves highly polished furniture and higher price points
The "Hand Rule": Sharon advises that if you are interested in an item, keep your hand on it; if you take your hand off and step away, someone else can jump in
Suitcase Treasures: For travelers, she suggests looking for paintings, vintage postcards, or palettes that can easily fit into a suitcase
One tip she shares from her travelers is to "ship home their dirty laundry" to make room for their antique treasures in their luggage.
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A reminder: For this new season, we're doing a new take on the A to Z of Paris. This time, B stands for Brocantes, following from A which stood for Arc de Triomphe.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
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