Finding Treasures at the Chatou Fair

What makes Chatou so special is the mix of people it attracts. On weekends, families arrive in droves, eager to enjoy a day out among the stands, while weekdays offer quieter moments for more focused treasure hunting. Some visitors arrive with a list and a mission, searching for the perfect Louis XV chair, a set of fine linens, or just the right still life for a gallery wall. Others come with no plan at all, browsing simply for the pleasure of it.

The fair is as much about the experience as the purchases. There’s an unspoken etiquette to buying here: a polite smile, genuine interest, and perhaps a touch of friendly negotiation. And there’s a charming tradition we’ve come to love, resting your hand on an item while you decide. It’s an unofficial “I’m thinking” sign, and once your hand lifts, it’s fair game for another eager buyer.