House clearances

Newsletter Issued 21 December 2025

We had heard about house clearances, and we know many of the dealers we meet source their stock at these…but how often do they actually happen? How do you find out? Who still has a house uncleared for decades, or centuries? 

Well, quite a few people as it turns out.

In the space of a week we heard about two!

Our neighbours, who have owned their house in the village for over 40 years, had never cleared the cellar from the previous owners. They found reams and reams of sheet music dating back almost 100 years and we have put them in touch with a friend who is a classical pianist and runs local music festivals, so this ancient archive will find a good home.

Meanwhile, a friend who lives near Albi mentioned a grand house in her village was being cleared out and sold by the grandchildren of the original owners. There were nine children of the house in its heyday, and they owned several farms in the area. Several antique dealers were called and allowed first pick. Our friend managed to get in after this and found some smaller pieces, and told us of cupboards full of textiles…we were hooked, a house clearance! 

She also told us about some rush seat chairs which were available (and we need chairs), so we planned a weekend to visit her and see them, and what else might take our fancy. She warned there was not much left, but we were excited for the adventure anyway. 

This house is a faded, decayed beauty. Dark and musty, high ceilings, and remnants of once prosperous times. Family members were all around, sorting and keeping, removing and filling bags of rubbish, and using tractors to haul out large pieces of furniture and timber to clear. 

Downstairs off the large hall there are kitchens, a garage and coach house (complete with antique coaches), a grand salon, and many locked doors! Behind the original kitchen is a housekeepers apartment, the bed piled with feather pillows and quilts. Every room has cupboards full of linen, clothing, small furniture, china, glassware, and household paraphernalia from past decades.

The salon has the most amazing wallpaper, maybe 1930s, in absolutely stunning colours. This had been used as the dining room more recently, and on our visit, the table was set for a family lunch.

Upstairs past the beautiful curved stairwell were the bedrooms. Tracey counted at least seven (and only one bathroom!). Armoires were full of neatly ironed and folded garments, old curtains, table linen, bed linen, and more. Once we started opening up the pieces, we realised how much had been repaired time after time, with beautiful darns and patching. Nothing had been thrown away. Some pieces were so fragile and thin, they tore as we lifted them off the shelves. Most pieces were darned, or moths (or worse) had eaten holes. It was dusty and dirty work, but we did manage to pull a few things out to save. 

We found some old bolsters and pillows, blankets, torchons, curtains, and trims, and a few damaged chemises to play with. We also found a large bowl and a small jug, and a couple of bread boards, in a good need of scrubbing and airing, and perfect for cheese and charcuterie. 

We found our way to the attic, which was amazing! The timber beams enormous, rooms after rooms, dusty and musty, and full of old corn cobs! Bags and bags of them, apparently used for kindling in fires, among other frugal measures. These could have kept the fires burning for years.

We were effectively the last pass, and everything else is to be donated or thrown away. We were thrilled to have a chance to look, and also sad at what may become of this and other former grand homes in France. 

And the chairs? We grabbed two in fabulous condition. Now seeking a few more so we can have guests!

Bisous from France!