Monthly Archives: April 2011

I visited Sospel last week, situated high in the Alpes Maritimes above Menton in the south of France.  Turning a corner in search of the local church, I was delighted to find a traditional community ironmonger that has been in the small town since 1892.  Marilyne, the current owner, is local to Sospel and bought the shop quite recently.  She’s proud of the 40000 lines they carry and is delighted to have the support of the previous owner who calls in regularly for a chat.  Aptly called the Coin-Caillerie, this quincallierie has a website that tells the shop’s history through a range of evocative photographs as well as providing customers with a regular newsletter about current stock.  

Back down in the busy seaside town of Menton, I came across the Bricolage (DIY) Services.  A more modern shop than the Sospel Coin-Callierie and with more blisterpacks than cardboard boxes of loose screws and nails, this is nevertheless a popular community ironmonger as well. 

And thus did a walking holiday turn into an ironmongers discovery tour.  What a bonus.  And you’ll note the sun was shining brightly!