ANTIQUE SHORT BREAKS are great fun and provide a small group of friends a relaxing way to enjoy the local fairs, bric-a-brac and antique shops of this area of south west France. SEE BELOW FOR 2012 SPECIAL DATES, but other dates can be arranged anytime to suit your schedule, we can advise on what fairs maybe available for your choosen dates. Locally there is a mixture of various options of places to visit: ANTIQUES SHOPS - Most local ones are in Pau. These offer lovely things, but frequently, with price tags to match BRIC-A-BRACS or TROCS- The local area here is quite well off for these. You can really find a bargain in these, though you will need to look hard, people bring in their unwanted items often from a relatives house they may have cleared. The stock (of the good things) turns over very quickly. ANTIQUES FAIRS- Their size can vary greatly, some are indoor (especially in the wintertime) but many are outside and offer a huge range of differing prices. VIDE GRENIERS - Means literally 'empty attics'. These can be a great place to find a real bargain, but be aware that many are similar in quality, or even lower quality than UK car-boot sales, and there will be a lot of little interest as well as some interesting bits and the elusive real bargain.
SPECIAL 2012 Antique Hunting Short Breaks These allow you to visit the events as outlined, as well sampling great food and wine, the farmhouse (4 bedrooms/3 bathrooms), breakfast and luxury dinners with wine included each day in the price. DATES FOR 2012 4 May--7 May - Soumoulou Fair nr Pau TBA Sept Pau Chateau street antiques fair other dates to come Visit the various Pau & Oloron brocantes and antique shops. See the world famous tapestries at the chateau in Pau. Price includes maps and further advice on where to go. Also includes short evening presentation on local antiques and wine tasting. 4 Day Break £260 per person (based on 4 persons) with accommodation & meals as described. Add £75 per person for transportation, if required.	A stall from the inside part of the fair at Soumoulou- where the quality is generally quite good
	BEST BARGAINS Light fittings - generally much less expensive than fittings in the UK. Obviously you need to ensure these are checked by an electrician. I have recently seen some amazing art deco fittings for just a few euros. Glass- though popular in France with collectors, often it is still a great buy here. Many french houses have lots of pieces of old glass so it is not surprising quite a lot turns up for sale. Although like anywhere do check the piece is genuine and not a recent copy. Painted Wooden Furniture - such as pot cupboards. Linen- Beautiful handsewn, embriodered sheets, shawls etc. Often very reasonably priced. Furniture - Farmhouse tables, Armoires/Wardrobes in particular, though bear in mind transportation costs as these won't fit in your suitcase!
	CALENDAR OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS Generally from April until November there is always fairs/vide greniers somewhere locally, some weekends will offer up to 6 or 7 different ones to visit. These are generally only announced 4 to 6 weeks beforehand but the ones below are regular events: Soumoulou (near Pau) normally first Sunday of each month except May when it is May 13th. No fair in Aug or Jan. PAU - Place du Forail every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Chateau de Pau - end Sept/early Oct - large street market, good variety of stalls