In English, terms like into attic sales, flea markets, secondhand, garage sales, car boot sales, all mean cheap prices on used stuff. In French, terms like brasserie, vides greniers, marche aux puces, brocantes, all mean about the same thing.
In 1754, Carouge, just beyond Geneva’s city limits, was granted to Victor Amideus, King of Sardinia. It became a refuge for Catholics, less puritanical Protestants, and even Jews. Its streets are laid on a grid pattern with lots of trees and planters. The city has low Mediterranean style buildings and interior courtyard gardens. We like to go for a stroll there and aren’t the only ones. It’s become a trendy ‘hood.
Some people have a problem with buying or using people’s old stuff. I have no such compunction and am a sucker for these sales. This one didn’t have much furniture (which is fine because I don’t have much extra space), but had a lot of everything else including Mexican food (which is a rarity here). It was great, but perhaps the least spicy Mexican food ever. The Swiss don’t eat spicy food and so most foreign food is toned down for the Swiss market. We didn’t care. I have a supply of assorted hot sauces at the apartment. If you come visit us, please bring more.
We don’t have children, but I wanted to buy some of the toys anyway. When I was young I had one of the Fisher-Price castles like the one below and loved it. It was hard to pass this puppy up.
I think these sales are great places to pick up unusual souvenirs. We’ve had visitors pick up paintings, books, beer steins, cool glasses, tastevins, vintage t-shirts, Swiss army knives and other cool Swiss army gear at the flea market.
I got a couple of Swiss army knives, a couple of old champagne buckets (to use as planters on my balcony), a leather purse big enough to hold my giant camera (super cute for summer), and a Sherlock Holmes book (in French). While I didn’t need any of it, apparently I could live without it.
I love these sales because you never know what you will see. They are like a mini cultural time capsule. Although you might be able to find an old wheel in the US, you probably won’t find some old spraying equipment or watch parts.
Related articles
- Find Everything From the Everyday To the Eclectic At Geneva’s Plainpalais Flea Market (schwingeninswitzerland.wordpress.com)
- Our Basement Bomb Shelter, Otherwise Known As Our Storage Unit (schwingeninswitzerland.wordpress.com)
I have Sherlock Holmes in French as well!
I love Sherlock Holmes. We’re planning a trip to Reichenbach Falls and will post about it the next few months. Thanks for reading.
Can’t wait to read it!
love the pics!
I’m almost sure my elementary school had that exact same castle. Wow, I haven’t thought about THAT in fifteen years… It would be so strange to stumble across it on the other side of the world–and hard to pass up buying!
My thoughts exactly. Thank you for reading the blog and commenting.
How fun and I totally bought my husband the weebles tree house he was always telling our boys about. They were all so excited for a 35 year old toy off of Ebay! Love the pics! Congrats on being pressed!
Thank you. Enjoy the sweet toy.
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed! Well-deserved!
Aaawww. Thanks for the compliment and for reading.
thanks for sharing I have loads f crap I won’t part with and often ind more
Thanks for checking the blog out.
Beautiful photographs and nice post
Thank you for the compliment and for reading the blog.
Truer words… Thanks for reading the blog.
I love flea markets, thrift stores, and garage sales! I don’t see anything wrong with buying used things that still have plenty of life left in them. Half the stuff I don’t need but can’t resist.
I love that shot of those little plastic toys! They remind me of picking up My Little Ponies and plastic dinosaurs at neighborhood garage sales when I was a kid. The bobcat is especially cute.
Thank you!
Very cool title and post!
He always asks me whether we really need it. Sometimes I don’t, but need it anyway. Thanks for reading the blog.
I ❤ Sherlock Holmes
Loved the castle.
Me too. Thanks for reading the blog.
I hope you bought the FP castle. It’s such a classic!
I wish I had. Apartments here are pretty small and I didn’t think we had the space. Thanks for reading the blog.
I have that same castle in my basement–when we gave it to my son he was so happy that he danced around it for a half an hour.
I am a sucker for flea-market toys. I started collecting them before I had kids. The castle is part of the collection, and sometimes I let the kids play with it. Sometimes.
Nice! Post!
Typo? Didn’t you mean ‘braderie’ instead of ‘brasserie’? Sorry if I’m being too picky…
what a beautiful things. my son would love that toys on the picures! 🙂
Nice photos!
Some of the best pictures I have ever seen! Great Job!
http://journeythroughhtml.wordpress.com/
Wow! Thanks!
That was fun. Congrats on your selection in freshly pressed.
It was fun. Thanks for reading the blog.
always buy the castle! bravo on being freshly pressed 🙂
Thanks for reading and for your kind words.
so welcome!
My brother had the same castle!! Wow the memories! Thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading the blog.
Can’t beat a good Fisher Price toy. I still have fond memories of my FP dollhouse with a working doorbell!
I agree completely and am familiar with the dollhouse too. Thanks for reading the blog.
Nice photos. I was wondering, how long have you had this blog? I noticed 55 bloggers liked this post of yours. I have two blogs on wordpress; had ’em less than two months now, but I rarely get more than 10 visitors a day, and have less followers than that. The most visits I had in one day is when I posted something about same sex unions. So, I was wondering–how can I get 55 bloggers to visit and like my posts? What am I doing wrong, or must I just wait a year or so? Again, nice photos. I am a retired professional photographer and print journalist.
Honestly, I have no idea. Sorry. I know that isn’t very helpful. There are experts who give all sorts of advice on how to get visitors, but I’m not one. I’ve had this blog for about a year. I started it and write it for our friends and families to share our experiences. Thank you for your kind words.
Hi
Forgive me for breaking in here. I am not very computer savvy. Let’s just say that I’m a dunce.
However, I absolutely love Suisse. My husband and I lived in the canton Vaud for a number of wonderful years. We were somewhat up in the Alps, and only visited Geneva occasionally. I think we were in Geneva on the 500th year celebration of Calvin.
That was a while ago. Look, I’m 60 years old, and I don’t suppose I’ll be getting any younger. It doesn’t seem to work that way, oddly enough.
We’re hoping to get to Switzerland this summer to enjoy the Alps, the cow bells, the alpenhorns, and fondue on Lac Leman.
My oldest daughter was born in Vevy, under Swiss rules. She is seriously orderly. my other three children are seriously not. They were born in Miami under no comprehensible rules whatsoever.
That’s just how Miami “works”. They speak Spanish out of necessity.
Currently, my French is mixed up with Spanish and some very rusty Latin. It doesn’t really work, actually. Don’t expect any sensible French out of me.
Avoir, merci , maybe.
We’re
something is going terribly wrong with my computer. It’s all me, of course
Deborah Wallis Binnie
don’t worry about the num of visitors to your blog,that do not mean u do something wrong . Love what u write and u will enjoy blogging.With the time people will knew your blog.
Comment on others blog by that people will knew yours.
I’ve been at it a very short time, and commenting is the way to go. It takes time to comment, and thoughtfully. So, the whole process will take time. I just kept buggin’ people to read…
Fun post and congratulations. Love a flea market! It’s a world of wonderful junque!
How do you choose where you comment?
Love love LOVE Switzerland…we have family in La Tour De Peilz, not too far from where you visited. Your blog made me want to go back. Great job and congratulations on being FP’d.
It’s a wonderful place and we are enjoying living here. Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves. Thanks for reading the blog.
I really enjoyed saw your blog today. Good Photos.
Thank you for your kind words and for reading the blog.
That was a fun read, wish we had more flea market/ brasserie type things here in Las Vegas, i guess its just too hot. I think i may live in your direct opposite. I cant find mexican food that is mild enough.
Congrats of fresh press.
Thanks. The food here is great, but we definitely miss Mexican and spicy foods. We visited Vegas before starting the blog and had a nice time on your ‘hood.
Beautiful photos and a very fun post. Congratulations on being freshly pressed!
Amazing photos and stories! You are so very lucky to live there! I went there for 6 weeks and simply LOVE Switzerland! Just returned and am currently writing posts about my 6 weeks in Switzerland! 40+ cities … so in case you haven’t been to that many cities in Swiss yet, I hope my posts can bring some inspired travels! 🙂 I’m a follower for sure!
Ditto on the flea markets! I love rummaging through other people’s “pre-loved” items — must have something to do with me being used to hand-me-downs as the youngest child. :p The thrill is spotting something that’s worth more than what they’re selling it for!
I love the thrill of the hunt and finding the unexpected. Thanks for reading the blog.
I LOVE those burl-wood bottle openers! Great post and pictures – another place I have to visit 😀
They’re pretty common over here. People have been commenting on them so much that I think I am going to have to buy a bunch as presents. Thanks for reading.
When I was growing up in Europe that was one thing I loved…markets. It brings back fond memories
So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for checking the blog out.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for reading the blog.
Great photos, lovely blog!
Thank you for your kind words.
I’m a soon to be expat and it’s fun to read about the adventures and treasures you find in another country. Fun read!
Nice blog and best of luck. We loved our visit to South Africa and are hoping to head back. Thanks.
Pingback: Voce sabe o que e Car Boot Sale? e Feira de Quinquilharias? « Josivaldo's Blog
Beautiful pics!
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
Thank you.
so cute gadget! I really want one of them!
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
Everyone has been commenting on them. I may have to start buying them as gifts. Thanks.
Freshly pressed 🙂 Congrats and awesome photos.
Larva
http://www.larvamedia.wordpress.com
Thank you
congrats on being freshly pressed
merceeo
http://www.merceeo.wordpress.com
Thanks
Looks like a perfect day!
I can’t lie. It was pretty great. I think the Mexican food made it for him. Thanks for reading.
Many of my possessions fall into this category. Great post.
Fun and true post 🙂
http://www.liveyoungabroad.com
Nicely done!! Love the collections of ‘things’!! Got a few of those myself! :)))))))
Thanks. Glad I’m not only one.
Reblogged this on Fakeseo | Black hat SEO.
Glad you liked it. Thanks
I like anything that makes my interest! Anyway great job on your photo blog 🙂 keep the good work.
Any suggestions for interesting things to cover? I’m always on the lookout for things that pique my interest (and then running to photograph them).
Can you mind writing a Blog Post on Black money in Swiss Bank – which is a great concern for Indian democracy or something on Zurich as a Honeymoon hotspot?
Congratulations on being pressed!
Thanks.
i love to go to flea markets and garage sales. i love to collect old stuff and once i found this really old lunchbox with a thermos. three hundred bux! or something like that, i walked away with out a cool snoopy lunch box
Who doesn’t love the hunt for a deal? Thanks for visiting.
Nothing like digging through stuff that other people no longer want…
I just can’t help myself. Thanks for reading.
Beautiful pics and very enjoyable commentary. Congrats on being freshy pressed.
Thanks for the nice words and for reading the blog.
I don’t think I need IRS (Income Tax Dept), but again can’t live without it too!
We have a ton of junk accumulated over the years & every summer we think os putting a yard sale to get rid of some. Hopefully this year.
Congratulations on being freshly pressed.
First of all, congrats on Freshly Pressed!
I also love to buy things from yard sales, secondhand stores, etc. The things you buy have a story behind them as well as in front of them and there are some true rarities to be found. I have a weakness for jackets and knives.
yard sales are fun!
Great photos. Thanks for sharing them. connie
Thanks for your kind words and for checking the blog out.
When I was living in Italy, I loved finding little flea markets and roadside junk stands like this. One of them we found ourselves at had a good mix of cute Russian dolls and Nazi memorabilia.
Lovely pictures!
I love stumbling upon the unexpected (like Fisher Price castles) at these sales. Thanks for reading.
Glad that freshly pressed brought your blog to my attention. My wife and I lived in various parts of the Lake Geneva region many years ago, and our hearts will always call it home. I look forward to seeing more of your experiences, as we dream about going back someday!
Thank you. We’ll be here for awhile.
In every city I visit outside the U.S., I find something like this. I don’t always find stuff I can afford, but stories always bloom from such things.
I’d like to visit Switzerland. I’ve met wonderful Swiss people on my travels and have heard so much from my parents from when they were missionaries there. Where would I start if I wanted to visit?
http://rehabhappy.wordpress.com/
I am a huge fan of Rick Steves. If you only purchase one guidebook, buy Rick Steves’ Switzerland. It has a great itinerary. We are on a mission to see everything in it. He makes fun of me because I refuse to travel with fewer than two. Lonely Planet and Rough Guides also make good guidebooks that are filled with practical information for planning a trip. The only warning I would give you is save your money. It’s expensive. That being said, my favorite things about Switzerland are free. I love the people, the lakes, the mountains, the hiking trails that criss cross the country and its amazing beauty. If you have specific questions, please ask, it may develop into a post. Happy travels.
Great photos and story. Thanks.
awesome, makes me feel like I’m there! congrats on being freshly pressed 🙂 Where you from originally?
Thanks for the kind words and for reading us. We are both from the States.
love the pics!thanks for sharing..!!!
Thanks for reading
All the stuff that you bought, were did you manage to store it all ?
None of it was that large…fortunately. The champagne buckets acting as flower pots and are filled with herbs. I did pass on the castle because I had no room for it. Thanks for reading.
when I travell abroad first thing I look for is little flea markets and roadside junk stands.I like to buy memories from there.
Thank u for sharing your interests with us.
Are there certain things that you usually look for? Thanks for reading the blog.
I buy souvenirs for gifts such as handicrafts, jewellery (silver),wall hangings.
I like most the bargain due to the stiff competition between the stalls and stands.
Yes, shopping at such places as you display is the only kind of shopping I enjoy. I dislike shopping for anything I need. But I love shopping for everything I don’t need. An appropriate title for your post–looks like a wonderful bazaar!
love the photos.
I to like places like that, go looking and my finding a treasure.
One mans trash, another mans treasure.
Reblogged this on Best At Dubai Holidays.
Love your post! Amazing pics! Thx for posting it!
Silke
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
i love flea markets. although i have gotten some weird vibes from some of the purchases i’ve made…do you believe that stuff carries energy?
I live in the Southern US and when go garage-saling, or stop at an old Antique Store, my best friend terms it “plundering”. The active verb is to plunder. I love to plunder! Have fun with your finds. That champagne bucket-turned-planter sounds delightful.
TemLeite No mel???rem losing my religion
I enjoyed reading your post today. I lived for two years as an ex-pat in Zurich when I was newly married, 10 years ago. I am so thankful for the experience because I have recently moved to Miami which sort-of feels like a foreign country! 🙂 I am blogging a bit about my experiences too. It is nice to visit you and see what a fellow explorer is up to!
I checked out your blog and was happy to see you are a runner too. Thanks for reading.
Sure- I can’t wait to see what else you find in Switzerland. I haven’t been back in 10 years. One day we’ll get there, but until then it will be fun to see what you enjoy!
Cool pics. Liked the little animals
Thanks 🙂
Oh, wow. I had that Fisher Price castle when I was a kid. When I saw that photo, I stopped reading and just stared. Nostalgia’s a hell of a drug.
I did the same when I saw it. Thanks for reading.
Great shots! Nice post.
Great photos! I love this post.
Thanks for sharing something that I never thought about. Well done! Great read!
Thanks for reading the blog.
Omg, I used to have one of those Fisher-price castles!
I had the Fisher Price castle, too! They are big collectors items now. That one looks to be in fantastic shape, too. I never could have passed it up! I loved wandering in the old Saturday flea markets when I lived a summer in Germany. I always found some little thing that “called” to me. Later I usually wondered why I bought it! Ah well. Loved your post and the photos. Congrats on being Fresh Pressed! 🙂
I’m regretting not buying it. We don’t have tons of space. I am having not buyers remorse. Thanks for reading the blog. Where in Germany were you? Any advice on places to go? We’re traveling there and so there should be some posts on the Rhine Valley coming up.
I was in North-Western Germany, (North-Rhine Westfalia). I flew into Dusseldorf from Heathrow, and then did my touring and singing mainly in little towns and villages all throughout the Münsterland region (I was doing a musical/Opera outreach). My home base was the lovely guest quarters at “Die Kolping-Bildungsstätte” – part of the “Kolping-Akademie Münster” (very clean, comfortable and reasonable. All rooms with private baths available – they cater to conventions and meetings so you will need to check to see if they have availability). It is located in the delightful village of Coesfeld. I spent much of my days off exploring nearby Münster – capitol city of the region – which is rich in history and absolutely beautiful with bike paths along the river. There are several nice museums (Art, Historical and Holocaust – their holocaust museum was particularly moving), good shopping, excellent dining. The crown jewel in Münster is their Cathedral which dates from the middle ages, and managed to escape damage during the WWII bombings. [A very old woman I met in the street one day shared her story about the day she watched American troops parachuting down into the square in front of the Cathedral “like giant white snowflakes”. One of the parachutes caught on a spire of the cathedral and the man dangled for several hrs before he could be rescued]. I did not have time to see more of Germany – it was an intensive summer of performing and I had very young children at home I was eager to return to – but, fell in love with all of the area I got to see. I would definitely recommend the Münsterland if you will be in that area. I’ve always hoped to return to Germany someday. Every region is so unique, and the people I met are warm and friendly and eager to share their stories. I’m sure you will have a wonderful time! Be sure to post photos and blog your journey (of course). 🙂
Dear soprano
how on earth did you manage to live out of a suitcase in Europe? i could not possibly have done so. Cngratualtions on having accompished that and living to tell the tale and actually enjoying it. did you? I’m supposed to be a light to medium lyric soprano who once sang with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. My voice is buried with a buried with a host of others in some carzy Russian stuff with leonard Slatkin. Do not try “golova” which is “head” in Russian. you can’t sing and do “golova” at the same time. the choral director said so, and he was absolutely right.
Good for you. Hats off. Good for you. I could not have done it. Period. I didn’t have the talent, probably anyway. I love music all the same. Love that music. I think I love Brahms lieder the best. Defintely the German Requiem. How about you?
Debbie Binnie
Debbie – I enjoyed every minute! (other than major homesickness for my babies from time to time) I arrived with one suitcase and survived very well for the summer. However, I admit I had to purchase another large suitcase for my return home due to all of my shopping! 😉 (thankfully, this was before airlines started charging ridiculous fees for extra baggage). I agree singing Russian is often an extreme sport! I adore Brahms Lied (and all Lieder). Love the Requiem(s). Music is the greatest universal language and essential food for the soul. Stay nourished. Keep singing!
I lived just outside of Zurich for 18 months and absolutely loved it (except for the bland Mexican food). If I’m able to come back in the near future, I will definitely bring you some salsa.
great post…i wish I can travel to Switzerland…you know most times, we just can’t travel to some places due to certain factors we are still trying to over-come. I love your blog and post, keep it up and congratulations. please, anyone who cares can check out my blog at:
wwww.trueloverelationship-advice.com
Switzerland is a wonderful place to live in. By the way great banner.
I agree. Switzerland is so beautiful that I should update it more often than I do. This one is Lugano.
Generally, I comment at the end of a post, if I comment at all. In this case, I believe there’s an opportunity to “reply” to anyone, and I took that opportunity, as no one had responded to his question at that point. I’m sure it got lost in the shuffle. I hope I haven’t offended by using your post as a means to offer a suggestion to another blogger…He did ask, so I like to help, even in my very limited way. Have a wonderful day, and proceed! 😀
Thanks. It was me asking. I’m still pretty new to this whole blogging thing.
Oh! I am too, and if I learn something along the way, I like to pass it on… Congratulations and have fun!
Reblogged this on Modern Gentleman and commented:
I’d never thought to go to a tag sale abroad … great idea.
I’ve been surprised by how many of our visitors have wanted to stroll through Geneva’s flea market. Thanks for reading and sharing.
This post reminds me of one of my favorite sayings, “One mans trash is another mans treasure.”. I love garage sales, auctions in which you can buy boxes of stuff for a couple bucks, (incidently that’s where a lot of my book collection comes from!), flea markets, craft fairs, etc. It would be so interesting to do that in another country! I hope I get to travel some day so that I can try it out, sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing your pictures, I would’ve had a hard time turning down that castle too!
God Bless,
Donna
I think it’s fun. He needs to be bribed with food. Thanks for reading.
I used to have that castle toy, too! I played with it so much!
It’s a classic. Thanks for reading.
Nice Post! it was fun 😀
Congats on being freshly pressed.
Salutations de Lausanne 😉
Merci Beaucoup! There’s a lot we still need to see and do on your end of the lake. Any recommendations?
Well… Have you ever been to the Rocher de Naye? It’s above Montreux and on clear days you have a magnificent view on the lake.
No. Hiking up it was on the to-do list for this summer. It just moved up. Thanks.
Love this shopping extravaganzas and seeing things from days gone by….awww! the memories they stir up
Totally love Switzerland! Would live there if I could. You’re living my dream. I’ll be following my dream on your blog. LOL. Thanks for that. Luann
We love Switzerland too. When we came on vacation years ago, we never imagined that we would end up living here. It’s crazy how things work out. Thanks for reading.
Le titre du post est tellement vrai…..
Je le trouve aussi. Merci beaucoup
I don’t mind buying second hand stuff as long as they’re still very useful and I’m fond of garage sales around my town. Nice photos by the way, reminds me of my old place. 🙂
—————–
colorado springs divorce lawyers
Do you remember the secret staircase in the back of the castle?
nice article
Pingback: Lyra Heartstrings « Mirror Universe
Pingback: The Swiss Army – Ready To Blow Their Country To Smithereens | schwingeninswitzerland
Pingback: Merci Beaucoup Freshly Pressed! | schwingeninswitzerland
Love your blog/article. …and when I was young, I had those plastic dinosaurs…
Pingback: Schwingen In Switzerland’s Top 10 Posts Of 2012 | schwingeninswitzerland