The town of Belfort in France has a rich and varied history, with a tapestry of different cultures that have shaped the town into what it is today. This background makes it the perfect location for its monthly flea market, the Belfort Flea Market or Brocante de Belfort, which is now considered to be one of the best in France and well worth a visit for those who are collectors or simply enjoy browsing curiosities.
In recent years, the Belfort flea market has grown into a major event with more than 140 stallholders, spread over many streets in the city centre (Place d'Armes, Place de l'Arsenal, Rue de la Grande Fontaine, Rue des Bons Enfants, Rue du Général Roussel, Grand-Rue) and remains a popular monthly attraction in the area. The flea market takes a break in January and February to avoid the wettest and coldest weather, but is otherwise open all year round. Locals make up the majority of the crowd, although there are often visitors who travel to Belfort from as far away as Alsace and Switzerland for the quality of the antiques on sale.
As with all flea markets, the Belfort flea market has a fair amount of random bric-a-brac for sale, but there are also some excellent collectibles and antiques to be found each month. The Belfort flea market is particularly attractive to collectors of pottery and kitchenware. You can also find copper and glassware, clocks, toys, vintage furniture, books, paintings and some military memorabilia.
Due to the Belfort flea market's location near Alsace in the Franche-Comté region of the country, the market features special collectors' items from this north-eastern region of the country, such as Alsatian milk jugs with floral motifs and traditional baking moulds and crockery from Lorraine. Clocks from nearby Besançon are also on display. These culturally specific items add to the charm of this flea market and are one of the reasons for its popularity.
The stallholders at the Belfort flea market are all incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and there is always an antiques expert on hand to give extra information to anyone interested!
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