Retail Therapy

It seems like ages since I've had a chance to buy some new trucs for my Etsy shop and with my stock being so low we decided to visit one of the first brocantes of the year.  The town of Bourcefranc le Chapus is about an hour and half from Cognac so it was a bit of risk that the market wouldn't be very good (or even worse cancelled) but because it was a sunny day and close to the lovely Ile d'Oleron we thought it would make a great day out anyway.  

We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at the brocante because although not the largest flea market we've ever been to it was nevertheless packed with goodies.  

Approaching the market things were looking promising

We bought a couple of things from this stall and I think it's safe to say that
the vendor was very happy

I always find it hard to get my eye in when I haven't been hunting for trucs for a while but in the end we managed to truffle out a few interesting items before heading off to the Ile d'Oleron to find somewhere for lunch.

Just when you think you have seen it all you come across a
phone with a velour fitted cover

We were lucky that we bumped into a some neighbours from when we lived in our previous house in the countryside because not only was it lovely to see them and catch up but they also pointed us in the direction of Chateau d'Oleron on the island as a good lunchtime destination.

When we arrived we headed for centre ville and came across a super little place that had a lovely vintage vibe called 'Le Drugstore'.  The food was great and the ambiance was really my truc and not far off from the feel I would like for our future plan of a coffee shop/brocante.  It was encouraging that Le Drugstore had a constant stream of customers and seemed to be doing very well.

A lovely traditional shop front really sets the scene

I love the eclectic interior especially the industrial clocks and gilt mirror 

A welcoming atmosphere and a relaxed vintage feel

The food is as good as it looks (I had a baked cheesecake for dessert
but it seemed to disappear before I had a chance to take a photo!!!)

After lunch we drove past some rustic little shacks selling sea salt and oysters, both farmed on the Ile d'Oleron, and made a promise to ourselves that we would definitely visit this charming little island again in the summer to have a good explore and to get to know it better.    

A traditional oyster hut and oyster bed