How to Decorate Your France-inspired Home with Second-Hand Treasures: A Personal Journey

Decorating Your Home with French Brocante Treasures

Recently, I had the honor of being featured in the beautiful online magazine, Redfin, to share how I’ve incorporated a Parisian/French style into my home. (You can find the link at the bottom of this page.) If you’re moving to France, planning to do some treasure hunting on an upcoming trip, or simply want to bring a touch of French charm to your space, decorating with second-hand treasures is an affordable, eco-friendly way to do so. Here’s how to make the most of French brocantes and antique markets, with a focus on Brittany’s unique finds.

What Should You Bring When Moving to France?

Relocating from the U.S. or elsewhere means making tough decisions about what to bring. Sentimental or hard-to-replace items, such as heirloom furniture, cherished books, or special kitchen tools, are worth prioritizing. While there are options for shipping such items, one has to balance the functionality and/or sentimentality with the expense. For me, leaving behind my great-grandmother’s antique table was heartbreaking—it had traveled with me through multiple homes for more than three decades. In the end, I could only bring what fit in a few suitcases and boxes. However, I’ve since discovered similar heirlooms in local brocantes, reminding me that the memories tied to these objects endure, even when the items themselves are left behind.

Though I had quite the collection of books, only a handful made the trip across the pond. Instead, I visited the charming village of Becherel to restock my bookshelf. There, I found several shops lined with gorgeous antique books, perfect for reading or display ….

Why Shop Second-Hand in France?

France’s second-hand culture is thriving, making it easy to decorate your home beautifully on a budget. Brocantes in Brittany, such as those in Dinan, Dinard, Ploubalay, and just about every other city and village in the region, offer a wide array of vintage treasures. Picture cobblestone streets lined with stalls selling weathered wooden tables, gilded mirrors, rustic ceramics, and colorful textiles steeped in history. I’ve found everything from small trinkets to larger statement pieces at these markets, many reminiscent of the beloved items I left behind in the States.

How Does Second-Hand Shopping Benefit the Planet?

Shopping second-hand isn’t just cost-effective—it’s also environmentally responsible. By repurposing preloved items, you reduce waste and the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and shipping new goods. Choosing locally sourced treasures over mass-produced “made in China” decor supports small businesses and helps preserve natural resources.

What Treasures Can You Find in a French Brocante?

French brocantes and antique stores are a paradise for treasure hunters. You’ll discover centuries-old chairs and hand-carved furniture, statues, vases of all shapes and sizes, vintage dishware with intricate patterns, and even high-value items like oil paintings and intricately woven rugs. Each piece carries a story, adding timeless charm to your home that mass-produced items simply can’t replicate.

I bought this lovely statue many years ago. She spent many years nestled in a French garden before coming to live with me in the U.S. Now, she has found her way back to France again. I took a pretty vase I had found one day at a brocante, a little Eiffel Tower from one of my trips to Paris decades ago, and some fun Paris-inspired books and voila! A lovely little corner that inspires and delights me every time I walk into the room.

Where to Find the Best Brocante Markets in Brittany?

In Brittany, antique markets exude a unique coastal charm. Dinard’s lively monthly brocante offers a mix of antiques and quirky curiosities, often with a maritime theme. Decorating with these finds not only saves money but also fills your home with character and history.

Strolling through the many aisles of treasures, I stumbled upon this antique milk jug. I love filling it with fresh or faux flowers, changing the colors throughout the year to reflect the change in seasons.

Below is a charming table runner embroidered by someone long ago, likely for her home or for someone she loved. I purchased the runner along with a raised fruit bowl at Maison Bleu Lin in Dinan, Brittany, France. I have known Claude, the owner, for several years. Her kindness and enthusiasm are contagious, and it is often worth a stop in just to chat with her.

Decorating with these second-hand treasures has helped me create a cozy, stylish home in France while honoring its culture and history. Whether you’re moving to France or simply dreaming of a French-inspired space, such treasures are the perfect way to add charm and sustainability to your home.

The below photo is another example of my finds. I purchased the table, chairs, and Buddha statue from Florence at Un Si Joli Passe https://unsijolipasse.blogspot.com/ . She is an absolute delight, her joyful personality coinciding with the bright colors and unique pieces she has in her shop. The Colonial chairs are from Facebook Marketplace, and the special, antique mirror from a friend’s family’s estate sale. What a wonderful way to make something once used by a horse into a useful and interesting piece of art.

What do you think about the idea of second-hand shopping? Will you give it a try? Do you have any suggestions for good markets, either in the US or in France? Please leave them in the comments section.

Great places to find one-of-a-kind treasures …

Un Si Joli Passe in Ploubalay https://unsijolipasse.blogspot.com/ This is by far one of my favorite shops that offers unique vintage items and is run by the delightful Florence.

Maison Bleu Lin in Dinan Maison Bleu Lin This lovely little shop is full of beautiful, antique linens and some lovely tableware.

Les Puces Dinnanaises https://galerie-de-loccasion-dinan.fr/ This large shop has everything you need to furnish your home. From tables to grand tableaus, couches to delicate and ornate collectibles.

Markets and Brocantes in northern Brittany: https://www.dinardemeraudetourisme.com/a-voir-a-faire/marches-et-brocantes/

Curious to Know More About My Move?

Read all about my adventures here at My French Life Magazine, an online magazine with everything you ever wanted to know about France from fellow Francofiles.

Full list of articles: Amy Gruber, Author at My French Life™ – Ma Vie Française®

The Move …

Moving to France: taking the Plunge – # I –

Moving to France: what I brought with me #7

Suggested Blogpost:

Becherel, A Book Lover’s Dream Bécherel: A Book Lover’s Dream – Tales from Brittany

And now, for something really exciting!!

We were featured in a Redfin article! Check it
out here: 15 Tips to Create a Parisian-Style Apartment | Redfin

A HUGE Thank You to Sarah and the team at Redfin for reaching out. I think the article is lovely, well-written, and full of useful decorating tips. Please check it out and leave me a comment with your thoughts.

Thank you for reading!

Amy, from Tales from Brittany