“For those who know Barjac, it is a place of pilgrimage”: the Gard antiques and flea market fair is in the starting blocks

Michel Raoux (à gauche), en compagnie de Philippe Tassy, un autre vice-président. MIDI LIBRE – ALEXIS BETHUNE

La célèbre foire aux antiquités et à la brocante organisée au nord du département du Gard, avec près de 350 exposants, débute ce mercredi 14 août, en tout début de matinée. Présentation.

This is undeniably the big summer meeting for bargain hunters in the Gard. The antiques and flea market fair takes place from this Wednesday, August 14, early in the morning, until the evening of August 18, in Barjac, in the north of the Gard. Meeting with Michel Raoux, vice-president of the Economic and Tourist Expansion Committee of the town of Barjac, the organizing association.

The launch of the 101st edition of the fair (two are held each year: at Easter and in the summer) is approaching. Where are you at? ?

We are ready. We are always ready. Always! There are three of us who take care of the fair throughout the year: Philippe Tassy, ​​Laurent Ferrari and me. And we receive reinforcements during the days that the event lasts; there are then five or six of us. You know, once it gets going, it goes without any particular problems. Once the unpacking has started, it's off… and it rolls until the end.

This summer, should we expect changes ?

No, nothing will change. As usual, the fair will be held in the heart of Barjac: Place Charles-Guynet, Avenue Chaillot and around the castle in particular. And, once again, we will be touring around 400 locations that will occupy between 350 and 360 exhibitors. They come from all over France. There will even be a Spaniard and a Swiss who will come to Barjac for the first time, to sell Swiss army equipment.

Who are the people who come in August ? Is there a difference with the fair organized at Easter ?

There, there will be a lot of tourists. The first day is generally marked by the presence of merchants. But, after that, they are tourists. And local people, all the way to Marseille, who know the fair or its reputation. For them, Barjac is a place of pilgrimage. They come to hunt for bargains every year. But it is not the same public as at Easter. The August meeting is less profitable. Because the main merchants, the Americans for example, are on vacation. And it is hot! In short, the volume of business is higher at Easter…

You talk about heat. Are you worried about the current heatwave? ?

Yes, because from 1pm to 5pm, there aren't many people in the aisles. As for the exhibitors who are in the shade, those who are under the plane trees, they are doing better; the others, well, they are drinking and suffering. Antiques and flea markets are professions where you suffer: you are outside and when it is hot, you are hot, and when it is cold, you freeze. These are not easy professions…

How is the antiques and flea market doing?

The market is tight. It’s difficult! Even among merchants, many have not sold their stocks and, as a result, they only buy a little. At other fairs, too, it’s very average. It works like everywhere in France; here it’s the same, we’re no exception. It’s the current situation that requires that; This is not inflation at fairs because exhibitors do not increase prices. You know, for people, antiques are not a priority! But, it would be good for the situation to be resolved because it has been like this for at least three years. Since the Covid crisis. It would be nice if it started again…

What are the trendy items, those that are most sought after ?

It's hard to say. Because I don't know if the public itself knows what it's looking for. That said, we shouldn't even talk about furniture. The bargain hunters don't want it! As for the trinkets, they sell a little. In any case, the beautiful pieces sell; like everywhere, there are people who have money…

Do you have any advice to give to a novice bargain hunter ? When to come to Barjac ? Should you haggle ?

You have to be there Wednesday morning, around 8 o'clock, to already have a look here and there. And at 9 o'clock, it starts with the big unpacking. But we don't find the excitement of a few years ago when, when we opened the doors of the van, there were ten or fifteen people trying to see what was inside. In any case, the good deals are done on the first day, during the morning and early afternoon. And haggling ? You shouldn't overdo it. There is always room for negotiation, but the exhibitors are already tightening their prices. Otherwise, they don't sell.

Information on the website www.barjac-foire-antiquites-brocante.org. I subscribe to read the rest