As our time in Montauban was nearing an end we all rested in the courtyard enjoying a cafe au lait and sharing our treasures we had found that day.

This was always one of my favorite times of the day when I could see all the amazing vintage finds that each woman had spotted and found beauty in. 

There were a few finds that I wish had been mine.

As it was time to leave we were told that we were going to make a stop on our way back to the chateau and hopefully do a little more treasure hunting.

Truth be told..I was tired and really ready to relax, eat dinner and get packed for my trip to Paris.

I had no idea where we were going.

We drove to an old, abandoned hat factory.

From the moment we drove up I could feel this was special.

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Something I have never experienced and will never have the opportunity to do again.

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The owner of the hat factory unlocked the doors and let us in.

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Let us find our treasures among the remains of a once bustling factory.


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It was surreal and overwhelming.

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You could feel the excitement of all the women and their need to search quickly and find treasures before someone else could scoop them up.

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As everyone rushed to find whatever gems this old building held….I stepped aside.

I do that.

When others are really excited…. I mellow.

When everyone rushed one direction ….I went the other.

When everyone was gushing, giggling, yelling about this amazing experience…I was quiet.

I don’t know why I do this.

I am not the quiet girl in the group.  I have never been. 

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While everyone else was focusing on the ribbons and millinery I was falling in  love with old drawers, stamps, scissors…….

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I didn’t mean to be drawn to all the old woods and metals…while everyone else had their arms full of rich, vintage colors.

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My heart started to race a bit just dreaming of taking these items back home.

When the owner told me he could not part with them I wanted to hide them, steal them, take them anyways…but I did not (I swear).

Where I explored it was more quiet.

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I was able to capture parts of the factory with my lens that I didn’t want to forget. 

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Gee, the owner, saw my quiet and interest and walked me around the factory explaining everything to me in French (which I could barely understand).

I nodded and followed. 

 I let him show me the machines and show me how hats are sewn.

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I think it made him happy to show me around a place that had once been so much of his life.

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In the end I had my small pile of ribbons, millinery, labels that I had collected and I waited anxiously for the amount that he would want for everything.

Looking back I can not believe the dark corners and boxes I stuck my hands. 

I half expected to see a rat at any moment and I searched anyways because I knew this was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so glad we were all a little fearless that day.

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(Cathy showing off her box of vintage treasures)