Starting an antique business in France is both a passion and a challenge. Sure, it sounds dreamy—spending your days surrounded by beautiful old things, sipping espresso in quaint French villages.
But let me tell you, the reality involves a lot more heavy lifting, early mornings, and the occasional heart attack when you drop a 200-year-old vase.
The Hunt: Early Mornings and Competitive Buying
To get the best pieces, I often wake up at 5 or 6 AM to reach brocantes before the real pros swoop in. And trust me, these folks don't mess around—they've got flashlight hats, folding carts, and elbows sharper than a chef's knife. If you show up late, all you'll find are chipped teacups and regret.
Online auctions are another battlefield. I spend hours refreshing pages, placing bids, and questioning my life choices when I realize I've won something way over budget. Unlike brocantes, where you can inspect items, online purchases are a gamble. Sometimes you score a hidden gem, and sometimes you get a "Louis XVI chair" that looks like it barely survived the French Revolution.
The Work Behind the Scenes
Once I bring my treasures home, the real fun begins—restoration. Some pieces just need a good cleaning, while others require full-on surgery. Ever tried reattaching a drawer without losing your sanity? Let's just say my toolkit is now my best friend.
After fixing things up, I move on to photography. Good pictures sell, so I spend way too much time setting up "glamour shots" of old furniture, angling a lamp just right, and whispering, "Work it, baby" to a 19th-century armoire. Then comes listing, where I write descriptions that (hopefully) make people fall in love with the piece without making me sound like a used car salesman.
The Logistics of Selling
Finding buyers is only half the battle—getting antiques to them is another saga. Shipping fragile, heavy, or oddly shaped items is a nightmare. I've become an expert in creative packaging, bubble wrap origami, and praying to the postal gods.
Despite the chaos, I wouldn't trade this life for anything. Every piece has a story, and finding the right home for it is incredibly satisfying. If you're thinking about diving into the antique business in France, brace yourself for the early mornings, surprise expenses, and occasional existential crisis. But if you love history and craftsmanship, there's truly nothing like it.
