Authentic treasures in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue: meeting with an antique dealer on the occasion of the International Antiques & Flea Market Fair

The city of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is transformed into a real haven of our precious past, welcoming bargain hunters, collectors and curious people from all walks of life. Among the highlights of this event, an antique dealer, whose reputation is well established, promises to captivate our attention.

This article invites you to dive into the unique world of this antique dealer, a true guardian of historical treasures, who, year after year, contributes to making the Easter Fair not only an unmissable event for antique lovers, but also a moment of sharing and immersion.

Follow us to discover this artisan of time, combining passion, expertise and traditions, in the heart of one of the most beautiful antique showcases in Europe.

The importance of antique dealers in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Antique dealers have a central place in the city's identity, making L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue an essential destination for lovers of antiques and art objects. With more than 300 antique and second-hand dealers, the city offers an incredible diversity of objects, ranging from antique furniture, art objects, jewelry, to antique books and vinyl records. This diversity attracts collectors as well as interior designers from around the world. The concentration of antique dealers creates a real ecosystem around history, art and culture, promoting exchanges between professionals and passionate amateurs.

Portrait: Jean-Jacques Bourgeois, a profession, a passion, a destiny

Jean-Jacques Bourgeois is a character who embodies an emblematic figure among the antique dealers of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. It is a matter of course! Here is his story:
Jean-Jacques is from Islois and was not destined to become an antique dealer. It was during an empty house in his youth that he discovered his vocation... His mother's voice still echoes: “you do it so well, you should make it your job”. Driven by this reflection, Jean-Jacques seized the opportunity of a shared space in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon to start.

Her first purchase? A marble pastry scale, a fascinating piece that he will resell in his room.

Two years later, he returned to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, his city, and was one of those antique dealers who unpack their goods every Sunday morning, Avenue des Quatre Otages. After a few, he decided to open “Memory of a Donkey” a store on Route d'Apt and then another Avenue des Quatre Otages near the Maison Jouvaud. In 2023, they bought a room in the prestigious Hotel Dongier, which includes numerous antique dealers.

Two essential shops where you will find objects found by Jean-Jacques and his husband David, historical pieces from the 6th to the 19th century. For their purchases, Jean-Jacques and David trust their instincts, stay true to their tastes and what they like. In this way, they guarantee excellent advice and delight their customers.
Jean-Jacques is particularly fond of the straw, shabby seats (the Provençal bench), armchairs, stools, chairs that he collects and sells. He has always liked to rehabilitate this type of seats that he has tirelessly “hunted down” with enthusiasm! Passionate about these pieces for a long time, he has even devoted a book to this subject, “The Golden Age of the Straw Seat”, exploring his love for the rehabilitation of these historic seats.

International Antiques and Flea Market Fair from March 29 to April 1, 2024

Jean-Jacques speaks of the first editions of the International Antiques and Flea Market with nostalgia, because 50 years ago, it was synonymous with a unique excitement animating the entire city. Jean-Jacques underlines the importance for the city to preserve its character and to remember that this cultural heritage contributes significantly to its dynamism and its international attractiveness.
Find the Memory of a Donkey Store and meet Jean-Jacques on the occasion of the Antiquity and Flea Market Fair.

In L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, each object tells a story, each antique dealer is a guardian of time, and each visitor leaves with a piece of dreams and history.