French la Vie Journeys

It’s simply about what catches the eye, what stirs memory, what inspires.
It’s about discovering history, culture, and lifestyle — through the lens of the brocante.

French la Vie goes beyond the garden gates, into lived-in homes where things are kept for the life they hold, for the tales they tell. We visit brocantes where every object has passed through hands and homes. And we meet people who keep this way of life alive — curated with passion.

Conversations start over shared meals and continue in the van, or while unwrapping something old and beautiful. Nothing is rushed. Often, what stays with you is the place or the object — but more, the way a moment felt: unhurried, unfiltered, real.

You might go home with a faded painting, a ceramic bowl, a bundle of linen, or even a van full of the brocante. You will bring back plenty of memories that might shift in how you see the every day beauty— the kind that surrounds us, waiting to be noticed.

This is France as I have lived it for nearly four decades — layered, imperfect, generous, plentiful-
And it’s the France I want to share with you.

If you enjoy antiquing, this is for you.

Scroll down to learn more, or click the links below.

Frequently Asked Questions

The dates for 2026 are now set and open for booking:

The dates for next year are now set and open for booking:

April 23- 30 2026 RST Complete

May 5th – 12th 2026 two places remain

May 19th -26th four places remain

June 2nd – 9th Complete

September 8th – 15th Two places remain

September 22nd – 29th two places remain

October 6th to 13th two places remain

October 22nd -29th RST Complete

***Our 2026 price per person is 4500€

If you would like a personal experience in Provence or Paris, we can create a one-of-a-kind journey for you, too, whether it is the brocante, art, cooking, vintage clothing/textiles, or a little of everything that makes you happy.

One to four persons.

Costs vary depending on your choices.

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The French la Vie Journey

Discovering Provence through the lens of the brocante.

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Small intimate groups of four guests creating a one-week itinerary around handpicked brocantes, French homes visits, and charming villages, allowing you to immerse yourself in a brocante lifestyle..

We will visit places in Marseille, Aix en Provence, Lourmarin, Cotignac, Carpentras, Isle sur la Sorgue, and other delightful villages.

During your stay, we’ll have ripe occasions to connect with antique dealers and visit village markets and brocantes. There are so many of them you will lose count! We will visit at least 19 places, sun up to sun down, a variety of budgets and styles, but purely antiques.

We will take a peek into my antique/brocante friends’ homes, who generously invite us into their world, where you can see how they created their homes with their antique finds, share a meal with them, and, of course, we will visit various antique dealers’ spaces, and each one will tempt you with their collections.

My home will be your place of residence for the week.

FAQs

What does a French la Vie Journey include?

Seven nights’ accommodation with shared bathrooms in my four-hundred-year-old Maison de Village home, at the base of Saint Baume mountain between Marseille and Aix en Provence.
All meals are included. You’ll enjoy a range of culinary delights, from home-cooked meals to authentic French dining experiences at handpicked restaurants in the area. Your dining expenses are included in the package, ensuring you can savor the local cuisine without worrying about additional costs. We will mix charming restaurants, picnics, and hosted meals at my friends’ homes, with drinks included.
My services as a bilingual guide for all brocantes, flea markets, and planned activities.

What is not included?

Air transportation to and from France, personal expenses, and travel insurance are not included.

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.

How is transportation arranged?

We arrange a group transfer from Marseille on the first day at 11 am and a return transfer to Marseille airport, hotel, or train station (arrival at the airport at 9 am) on the final day. Please arrange your flights accordingly. All transportation during the French la Vie week will be in a in a minivan.

How do I send my treasures home?

Whether your purchases are souvenirs filling your suitcase or boxes full of small or home furnishings, we can help you send your parcels back home. We have plenty of options at various price points depending on your needs. We have connections for shipping boxes to containers. Nothing is too big, too small, or impossible—except sending the Eiffel Tower.

How many people per Journey?

We can accommodate one to six people. Or we can customize a journey for your individual group

How far will we walk each day?

One must be in good physical shape and able to walk and carry their purchases on an average of 5000 steps daily.

We will not be climbing steep hills, nor thousands of stone steps. Though there are stairs.

Nevertheless, you must be able to keep up with the group.

Please bring your smile and positive attitude to share with others.

What does a French la Vie Journey cost?

4,500 Euros per person (Single room, shared bath)

How do I secure my spot?

When you sign up for your French la Vie Journey, a nonrefundable 2,000 Euro deposit will secure your spot. The remaining amount must be paid two months before your visit’s scheduled date. A confirmation email plus a questionnaire will be sent to you shortly after receiving your deposit.

How do you accept payment?

Payment is accepted either by international bank transfer or through PayPal. (You will need to add a 4.0% service fee to cover PayPal’s service fee.) Contact us for details.

Bank wire transfer, Paypal, or cash.

Can a French la Vie Journey be customized?

Costs will vary depending on your choices.

If you would like a personal experience, we can create a one-of-a-kind journey for you, too, whether it is the brocante, art, cooking, vintage clothing/textiles, or a little of everything that makes you happy, in Brittany, Paris, Provence and Normandy.

We can create a unique expereicne, for solo travelers, couples, and groups of up to four.