If you're not familiar with Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, that's okay. It's kind of a well-kept secret. Which is somewhat paradoxical when you know what it is famous for. Located 25km east of Avignon, between Carpentras and Cavaillon, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is one of those typical Provencal places you just have to see: a square surrounded by cafes and shops with delicious smells and window displays, little bridges to cross, narrow old streets lined with plane trees and green foliage, and several large, beautiful water wheels
So what makes Isle-sur-la-Sorgue so special from a flea market point of view, other than its beautiful surroundings? Well, this tiny village of 22,000 souls has one of the highest densities of antique dealers and second-hand shops in the world: there is no less than one antique shop for every 70 inhabitants!
Over the last thirty years, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue has become the antiques capital of the world, with almost 300 permanent antiques and second-hand shops set up in the town. One of the most famous places in town is undoubtedly L'Ile aux Brocantes. This antique village brings together around forty antique shops and the restaurant "Le Bistrot de Coco" on the banks of the Sorgue. This place is an invitation to enthusiastic shoppers and antique lovers alike, and guarantees an unforgettable shopping experience that will leave you enchanted and reluctant to leave without a precious possession in hand.
As if that were not enough, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue hosts a major antiques fair twice a year, in spring and summer. The fair (called Foire de l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Antiques Art & You) started in 1966 with 14 exhibitors and now welcomes more than 450 exhibitors (in addition to the 300 permanent antique dealers and second-hand shops) and is one of the largest antique and second-hand fairs in Europe - some even say that Isle-sur-la-Sorgue now forms one of the cardinal points of the "antique" golden triangle in Western Europe, along with London and Paris. That may be a little far-fetched...
If you manage to fight your way through the 120,000 visitors who flock to the fair twice a year, you should be able to find some pretty Provençal boutis, beautiful patinated ceramics, antique furniture, old crockery, rare finds and other collectibles and memorabilia from the South of France.
All in all, with half a thousand professional exhibitors and shops, a dozen antique villages organised by theme (contemporary art, antique books, design/decoration...), a quality charter that puts the event above any suspicion, the Isle-sur-la-Sorgue antiques fair is as much Ali Baba's cave for flea market lovers as it is a potential goldmine for antique dealers.
Lillie Shelton
31st October 2015 at 01:22We have visited Isle sur la Sorgue for almost 20 years, to search for fine
antiques, and it used to be excellent for finding “real” French antique items at realistic prices…but no more…the remaining “antique shops” (many have closed or moved) are now so high priced for the “real” antiques, or full of metal cabinets & oddball stuff, or brand new long “farm” tables, or full of totally new “decorator” items….it is depressing. The dealers don’t want to “wholesale” their items as they say it is “so difficult to buy good items these days”, or they want to maximize their profit by only selling to the high end retail customers!!
Grace Lambert
4th December 2015 at 22:21No need to drive here specifically for antiques, as the antique shops along the market route are open every day. I didn’t find any prices on the street that were “bargins” and worth the effort to get there on Sunday. There is a fabulous antique linen shop tucked in the corner Avenue de L’Egalite and D901 (behind the BNP Paribas) where I found a full linen set (table cloth and 12 napkins) with embroidered initials.
Cyril Boulet
21st January 2016 at 05:33L’isle Sur La Sorgue is a wonderful market experience, the stalls thronging around the streams and through the narrow streets create a fabulous atmosphere. Parking is a little challenging but not impossible. It has a great selection of local produce- fruit, bread, mussels or delicious spit roasted chickens, souvenirs, shoes, cute tee shirts, and cloths: it offers a plethora of opportunities but antiques? There is not quite the same wealth of fabulous irresistible treasures. Possibly good for large furniture pieces from 18th century to 1970’s and even chic modern stuff, even oil paintings and there is at least one light fitting that has been there so long it has a bird’s nest. But after my one visit on a Sunday when the shops were open, I wonder who got so excited about the antiquities…not someone looking for a special local aged delight that would fit in the airplane luggage. Some of the most interesting stalls had been in the Place Pie in Avignon on Thursday… with the same stock!
Katie Elliott
7th March 2016 at 14:34As an antiques enthusiast, I was really looking forward to visiting. However, I was disappointed…the main market would be wonderful if you live there or are self catering as the food stalls are fabulous. True, there is an abundance of antique shops in there own small ‘villages’. Again, if you live there and are furnishing a house or are an antique dealer on a buying trip then it would be great but if you’re a tourist looking to buy something to take back to your home country then forget it. Nice to look round but I wouldn’t make the trip there had I known beforehand what it was like. In terms of the main market (which is food and clothing) and do not like shuffling along at snails pace in a huge crowd then avoid. Also, the waterwheels and waterways whilst nice, cannot be fully appreciated as you cannot really see them due to the crowds.
Lucille Diaz
30th March 2016 at 06:25Isle-sur-la-sorgue is an Antiques Village, built on the banks of the Sorgue, well organized and patronized like the legendary Parisian markets of Saint-Ouen. With half a thousand professionals (exhibitors and shops), distributed in the Quai de la Gare, Le Village des Antiquaries de la Gare (100 exp. in 2 floors), Le Hotel Dongier Antiquites (30 exp.), Rives de Sorgue (20 exp.) Le Passage du Pont, La Cour and more places. This village is a dream for antique lovers!