My husband and I moved to Brittany in 2004 and, like most people, juggled various jobs initially.
In 2011, I set up my own business as a writer and translator, alongside a salaried post teaching English to business people, but it became increasingly stressful.
In 2022, it was time to change: we moved to a small cottage, I stopped teaching and re-evaluated.
We’re extremely lucky to live way out in west Finistère very close to La Pointe du Raz, France's Land’s End. Every day, I walked the coastal paths taking photos of the sea, which inspired me to pick up painting. It was liberating.
After a few months of experimenting with acrylics, a good friend said I should sell my paintings at the local Christmas market and, although I was not confident they were good enough, my family encouraged me, so I took the plunge.
Local Christmas markets are fairly straightforward as they are relatively small – around 30 stalls.
I checked social media and asked the mairie about upcoming events, then filled out an application form with my contact information and details of what I was intending to sell. This helps to ensure there are not too many stalls selling similar products.
It was all organised online and the process was simple, perhaps because I already ran a business.
The first was in a village so I did not have high expectations and I kept my prices low, but I was delighted to come home with nearly €200.
The other two were less successful, mostly because there was not much prior advertising.
Typically, stall holders need to arrive an hour before the market opens. You need this amount of time to bring everything in and set up – even packing away takes at least half an hour.
The atmosphere is very festive, and although it is a long day, you are indoors and can take time to chat to other artisans or grab a coffee.
Summer markets
We live in a tourist area, so the next decision was to take a stall at one of the summer markets.
In March, I tracked down the events organiser for the marché nocturne in Audierne on Wednesday evenings, and requested a place.
Having gathered the required information, I duly took my application forms to the mairie for the April 15 deadline, heard nothing for two months, then received a confirmation email two weeks before the first market.
The market officially started at 17:00, so on my first day I arrived at 15:30 to ask where to set up. It was a bit of a free-for-all but I chose a spot and set up my folding table, battling the breeze off the harbour and chatting to my neighbours.
It was more nerve-wracking than the Christmas markets, perhaps because most traders were professionals and my table felt dwarfed by the huge clothes stall next to me!
As it was a trial season, I did not invest in any barnum shelters, so if it rained, I did not go – but neither did the tourists!
I also joined a smaller market on Mondays at the Pointe du Raz, which was mostly crafts and organic food. Visitors go to walk rather than browse, but I still did well there, especially in peak season.
Learning what sells
Initially, my stock included framed original paintings, hand-painted greetings cards, scented candles in engraved glass jars, plus handmade fridge magnets and hand-painted keyrings, which I sold at €5 for two as stocking fillers.
The French are not big on greetings cards, but the paintings sold well and the magnets and keyrings sold better in summer, perhaps as they are small souvenirs.
There does not seem to be any logic in what sells, although my turquoise impressionist canvases seemed to stand out, whereas you need to be close to see the detail on my other seascapes. Some people commented that “they’re clearly photos”, which they definitely are not, but you have to take it as a compliment!
On my worst day, I was there from 16:00 to 22:00 and took €5, but on my best day I took €155 – not a huge sum for most people, but certainly a boost. You have to deduct 25% for your Urssaf charges, but it is still worth it for me.
The vulnerability and standing around are not for everyone, but if you are the sort of person who daydreams of running a shop then a seasonal stall is a great experience, especially an indoor Christmas market.
I make my living writing and translating, so I did not think in terms of hourly rates; painting while listening to the radio is an enjoyable hobby for me, so any money from that is a bonus.
Market stall checklist
Costs: Prices are per linear metre multiplied by the number of events, so a two-metre stand for nine summer markets cost me €63. You need to calculate material costs, transport and any packaging, such as bubble wrap.
As this was a trial run for me, I simply bought a folding table (€30), folding chair (€8), a clear plastic tablecloth to quickly cover my paintings if it rained (€20) and I spent €49 on a SumUp reader to take card payments, which quickly paid for itself. I also printed some business cards (€25).
Business registration: The Christmas markets involved minimal paperwork, but the summer markets were run by a professional events company. Although I already had a SIRET number, I needed to register with INPI (Institut national de la propriété industrielle) and the Maison des Artistes so that I could connect my artistic venture to my existing Urssaf registration.
Hints and tips
Take a float of €100 cash, including coins
Clearly price each item
Add your name and business card to each item
Consider self-promotion on Instagram or Facebook
Check if you need to bring a chair and/or refreshments
Provide any packaging that might be necessary for purchases
Consider gift-wrap options
If your work is creative, work on projects at the stall – it attracts attention!
