Sunday, May 12th, 2019 #Mirepoix#vide-greniers#Postcardsfromthelot#maisondelachevalerie
Sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
Monsieur Honey has a strong interest in looking at/searching for unusual items ... i.e. antiques, flea market bargains.
While we were in the planning stages of this adventure to France, I had done some “Googling” about “vide-greniers and brocantes”.
So I added the link to my home screen for easy reference.
Back in 2013 during our three-month stay in Dégagnac, he purchased this book at the local « épicerie » and it provided much entertainment and exploration of new communes, villages and towns.
We travelled to and discovered so many different places in the Lot Valley ... here’s hoping that this list with provide us with the same experience.
Yesterday, we checked out the vide-greniers listings to see if there was anywhere new that we could visit.
Bram was showing a town wide sale. So off we went to do what I call “picking”.
Guess what daughter, Jenn also likes to check out the flea markets and antique shops.
I say she comes by it honestly through her Papa.
Monsieur Honey ferreted / picked through this suitcase (pictured below) to find the right tunes that would provide the desired atmosphere for an afternoon/ evening on the sun-trapped terrace.
Our bargain of the day was the purchase of an assortment of CDs which included some great French music and even some Zydeco.
Plus they are souvenirs that can easily travel home with us that will provide hours of listening pleasure in our courtyard during the Canadian summer.
Hopefully, our family, friends and neighbours will also enjoy the sweet songs!
The bargains of the day 1€ per CD ... all brand new and still in original wrap/packaging.
Another vendor was selling CDs for 15 to 20 euros a piece.
Bram is a commune in the Aude department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region located on the Canal du Midi. We didn’t spend much time here as it was a Sunday and out of season.
Can you see the snow on the Pyrénées?
The road to Mirepoix ... our next stop.
Mirepoix is a bastide town in the Ariège region that was rebuilt in the 13th century following a flood.
The typical medieval wood carvings on the old facade of « La Maison des Consuls »...
Do you see the different faces?
The market square with the southern French Gothic-style Saint-Maurice cathedral in the background.
Beautiful half-timbered houses whose first floors (1st floor in France is actually the 2nd) that hang over the square create the arcaded walkways below which houses unique shops, cafés and restaurants. 
This reminds of the houses that hang over the river in Girona, Spain. Photo from September 2017. We found a table to enjoy the warmth of the sunshine, a little tapas, Rose and people watching at “No. 20 by Pat”.
A little more wandering of the side streets surrounding the square, my entourage (Father and daughter) checked out a couple of brocantes and then we found an amazing shop ... Maison de la Chevalerie (House of Chivalry).
There were beautiful items created by French craftsmen all displayed meticulously.
Here you can also be entertained ... you can see what it was like to be a knight in the Middle Ages, wear a period costume, do some middle age activities ... crossbow shooting, ring throwing, duels, etc.
It was an enjoyable visit with the shop owner who provided friendly, excellent service.
So if you find yourself in Mirepoix stop in and say hello to Cyril and checkout the shop at 15, rue Vigarozy - 09500 Mirepoix.
Inside courtyard of a hotel/ restaurant ...
I call this brocante alley ...
Just a pretty facade ...
Tomorrow (May 13th) was Jennifer’s last full day in France ... come back to read about our day in Gruissan, looking for the beach.
