Well, the Brocante Bible says there's the following in the Mayenne on the 6th Juillet:

Ambrières-les-Vallées (12km N Mayenne) - 50 exp.
La Chapelle Anthenaise - 25 exp.
Saint-Denis-d'Anjou (22km SE de Chateau-Gontier) - 60 exp.
Villiers-Charlemagne - 200 exp.

Any of these any good Jazzy? If not, there's some in the Sarthe too as well as closer to us in the Maine et Loire.

Stu, I'm ashamed to say I have never been to a vide grenier! Don't know any of the towns either! Ha! I'm a great help aren't I?!

Laval has a big train station with sncf and TGV connections and one of us could collect Paula, maybe Val on her way through if we are aiming for somewhere south of it. Chateau Gontier is half hour from Laval, to give you an indication of distance.

Villiers-Charlemagne looks gorgeous, never been there but have seen photos and that one seems to have the biggest vide grenier, and could have a few nice places to eat.

I have no preference and I'll leave it up to you lot, as I seem to be the one doing the least traveling, I will be the most flexible. If I can help anyone with directions, lifts, bookings etc, let me know.

Thanks for the kind invitation Val. Would really love to meet up but petrol/distances put it out of the question. I Hope it all goes really well for you.
For those, who, like me find it's too far, if any of you would like to meet up here on that Saturday or Sunday you're very welcome. I'm 6 km from the RN21 just south of Thiviers between Limoges and Périgueux. Thiviers is on the main line between Limoges and Bordeaux and it's possible to travel from Paris and back on the same day with only one change.
What do you think?

I cannot believe you have never, ever been to a Vide Grenier. Best one of the year is in Tinchebray in October, about 500 stalls - will meet you there then
I've just got back from a whirlwind, fantastic trip to the Loire. My friend leaves tonight so will catch up more later - after I've detoxed
If Novo thinks there are still bottles of $2 wine left in E.Leclerc he's in for a shock - we are going to have to use the 90 cent one's instead

You're on!

Glad you had a good time! 90 cents? Whew, out of my budget, what about the 60 cent ones in Lidl?

Maybe I'll have shop at Champion instead... it's closer anyway.

Welcome back and see you next week.

60&90 cents,come on if you are to drink wine at least pay 2 euros have a wine,after many years here now we will not look at wines below 3 to 4 Euros.and only gold labels.

I was partly joking but as long as a wine is AOC or AC I don't mind. Years ago I did a diploma in Wine and Associated Spirits. Completely free, was over 15 weeks in the evenings. We started off as about 20 of us, and as the course got harder, ended up with just 6. Part of the course was to taste different wines, and sometimes we had 6 bottles between us! It was absolutely fabulous and the exam was really easy, I even got a lapel badge free! Since then I enjoy a fine wine, but I like the surprise when a 1 euro bottle turns out to be like nectar!

Has a venue been decided yet then? And is there a list of who's coming? Then we can decide who we want to avoid!

You are a man after my own heart Le Chant
One of the reasons I first suggested Saturday instead of Sunday is because we have 3 big vide greniers around here next week. I'm addicted, but think the family will disown me if I buy one more clock or painting
I've spent the last couple of hours cross referencing places to see what would be best for all of us. Chateau-Gontier is a bit far if we are coming from Manche (over 3 hours). Villiers-Charlemagne is a possibility though.
I also came across Bouce (there is a vide-grenier there, 100 exp)
I don't know the place at all, but it looks as if it would be just under a 2 hour drive for most of us. Does anyone know it? It says Chateau de Carrouges is only 10 kms away - maybe it has grounds we could use to meet up for a picnic? http://carrouges.monuments-nationaux...d/page/visites
As far as I know, I'll be there as well as Novocastrian and his OH, Jazzy n lol, Le Chant and OH. I know Paula Jayne wanted to come too but don't know how easy it would be for her to get there. I will also send a pm to flutterfly as I think she lives close by to that part of the country and might be interested in coming along.
It looks as if Mayenne is going to be the mid-way spot for us all though, so if Jazzy n lol have any other suggestions of a good place we could meet for lunch, that would be great

Please take care Val you never know what these people who hang out on forums might be like - be sure to tell a neighbour where you are going and keep your mobile phone with you with an emergency message ready to be sent.

Yours worriedly

Tres

Oh, are you coming?

I shall be wearing your favourite dress Novo and carrying a single red rose

Shit. I'll have to buy a new frock in that case.

Bouch seems ok ill just need to check the trains - dont worry bout little ole me if theres a train station ill find a way - im a persistant little begger might need a lift from a train station though to where we meeting - if anyone can offer their services - Dont worry i'm not quite as mad as some people have made me out to be YOU know who you are

PJ