When it comes to antique shopping in Switzerland, I prefer to skip the antique boutiques in favour of the fairs!  Run with an efficiency not typically found in environments better known for their creative mentality and emotional muse, the Swiss flea markets have a gorgeous selection of antiques, vintage and second-hand goods.  

Aarberg Brocante
My favourite Swiss brocante is the twice-annual Aarberg Brocante (held at the end of April and again in August).  Perhaps I like it because it’s located in French-speaking Switzerland and my French is much better than my German which is relegated to “Wo ist die toilette?”  Though a practical phrase to know, it doesn’t help much when negotiating with vendors or asking for discounts.   

Aarburg is a quaint town with a small river and a covered bridge.  Vendors set up around the downtown and on the bridge, and though shopping can be crowded at times, it’s worth it!   My friend Susan V, a Zurich-based expat who, introduced me to the brocante, says, “In some ways it’s typically Swiss,” using a tone of voice that indicates this isn’t necessarily a good thing. “The prices are typically Swiss” she clarifies.  “There were many items I would have bought, but they were too expensive.  Then again, we purchased two turn-of-the-century 

Bieler Braderie
For typical Swiss ambiance without the typical Swiss prices, I’ve been told that the bilingual town of Biel/Bienne which hosts the Bieler Braderie (next held June 26 - 28, 2009), is the place to go!   Vintage items are scattered among the more prevalent arts and crafts typically hocked here. Not so much a flea market, but instead a three-day summer festival, I have my doubts that it would suit serious shopping needs when scouting for antiques.  For a real Swiss flea market that every travelling antique shopper must know – go to Le Landeron - Switzerland’s most famous and largest antiques fair!

Le Landeron
The Fete de la Brocante Le Landeron is held in the canton of Neuchâtel each September.

Ascension antiques fair, Locarno
 For an equally interesting collection of antiques and vintage items (albeit with only a third of the vendors as at The Fete de la Brocante Le Landeron), visit the Feast of the Ascension antiques fair in Locarno at the foot of the 

Geneva
The glitterati and people in the know have been flocking to Locarno for years when the buzz in St Moritz becomes too much and they need to get away, but it’s still relatively unknown off the beaten tourist path where one doesn’t have to stand in line for their gelato.  Speaking of places better known by jetsetters, Geneva is a pit stop on any international globetrotter’s grand tour.   The annual Sotheby’s Geneva Jewellery sale each spring draws a massive crowd.
For those of us without billionaire budgets, Geneva still offers some exciting buying opportunities!  As far away from Sotheby’s as you can get is the Geneva Plain Palais flea market.   The area is rather desolate but it does house a flea market on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sunday from 8am – 5pm where 

hard-core flea marketers can comb the bric-a-brac!  

Zurich
Geneva’s sister city in the north, Zurich, has a few flea markets as well.  The Flohmarkte Burkliplatz runs every Saturday from May to October from 6am – 3.30pm.

Here you can buy all kinds of things from antique furniture and rugs to clothes, old shoes and knick-knacks.  Should you be looking for a similar year-round flea market, then try the Flohmarkte Kanzleistrasse with 400 stalls selling second-hand goods – such are the crowds that the flea market has recently started offering a crèche for children aged 3 – 8 years old (email fm.kanzlei@bluewin.ch for information).

By the Antiques Diva

7 October 2008

Read the Antiques Diva ™ Expatica Resource Guide, which takes you on an antiques shopping trip through all six Expatica countries:

By The Antiques Diva, an expert in scouting for antiques in Holland, Belgium and France. For more information, visit: www.antiquesdiva.com or www.antiquesdiva.blogspot.com