The French Collection
Three British bargain hunters scour the antique markets of France, on a cross-Channel challenge to make the most profit reselling their treasures.
Starring:Mark Franks
Season 1
S01:E01 - Durtal & Portobello
Three Brits with an eye for a deal get a day at a French market, with 800 euros to spend and dealer Mark Franks on hand to help. Back in the UK they have one day to upcycle their purchases before selling them on. The person who makes the most profit wins everyone else’s cash. Today Jemma, Kellie and David are shopping in Durtal, north-west France. Jemma thinks kids’ furniture is hot and hopes to see a return on a child’s desk. Kellie shows us how to upcycle candlesticks into lamps - complete with homemade shades. And a battered old leather chair turns out to be a big money-spinner for David.
S01:E02 - Avignon & Bristol
Three Brits with an eye for a deal get 800 euros to spend at a market in Avignon, south France, with expert help from dealer Mark Franks. Once they’ve shopped they head back home to the UK where they’ve got one day to upcycle their purchases before selling them on in Bristol. It’s winner takes all – whoever makes the most money will walk away with everyone’s profits. Adrien thinks industrial lighting is popular at the moment and picks up some old warehouse lights. In the upcycling, Sam gets creative - converting an old bicycle into three decorative clocks. And Juel finds there’s big profits in taxidermy.
S01:E03 - Nice & Clapham
Three Brits who think they’ve got what it takes to buy low in France and sell high back home get a day in a French market, with 800 euros to spend and dealer Mark Franks on hand to help. Back in the UK they have one day to upcycle their goods before selling them on. Whoever makes the most profit wins everyone else’s cash. Today’s competition is in Nice, South France, where David, Jane and Nathalie go head to head to see who can buy the best bargains. Nathalie goes traditional French picking up some antique shutters. David gives a small chest of drawers the shabby chic treatment. And hard-haggler Jane strikes gold when a 70-euro mirror turns out to be worth much more.
S01:E04 - Porte De Vanves & York
Three rivals with a passion for all things vintage and retro get 800 euros to spend in a Paris market, with veteran dealer Mark Franks on hand to help. Once they’ve bought they head back across the channel to upcycle their gear before selling it on in York. Sarah spends big on some Bakelite telephones. Trevor thinks a pair of antelope horns are in vogue and could see him strike gold. And Vicky thinks an antique mirror is a real bargain. But who will make the most money when it comes to selling their stuff on and walk away with everyone else’s profits?
S01:E05 - Jonzac & Brighton 1
Three rivals head to a flea market in Jonzac, Western France to see who can buy the best bargains and make the most money selling their gear back home. They’ve got 800 euros and expert advice from dealer Mark Franks. Once they’ve shopped they must upcycle their purchases. Martin, Helen and Pauline all want to win by making the most profit - with the winner stealing everyone else’s cash. Helen spots the potential in some rusty old oyster baskets. Pauline gives an antique mirror a pink paint job. And Martin’s upcycling gets personal as he creates a bespoke piece of artwork using some old watch fittings. But who will make the most profit when it comes to selling in Brighton.
S01:E06 - Carpentras & Bristol
Three Brits with a passion for vintage homewares and collectibles get 800 euros to spend at a French Market, with dealer Mark Franks keeping an eye. Back home they get one day to upcycle their purchases before selling them on. It’s winner takes all as the person who makes the most money walks away with everyone’s cash. Today our three rivals are in Carpentras, South France. Ray sees potential in a French dresser - but will the buyers in Bristol agree? Joanne reupholsters some antique dining chairs. And Ben surprises Mark when he makes a profit on an old typewriter.
S01:E07 - Nantes & Portobello
Three rivals with a passion for vintage homewares head to a French market in search of bargains to take home, upcycle and sell on – with expert help from dealer Mark Franks. Jess thinks her fortune lies with a retro Formica kitchen set. Terry gets lucky with a 70s coffee table. And Dan converts a vintage trunk into a kitsch cocktail cabinet. But will the buyers on Potobello Road want to give any of them a profit on their purchases? The competition will be fierce as the person who makes the most money steals everyone else’s cash.
S01:E08 - L'Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue & Manchester
Three amateur enthusiasts who think they’ve got what it takes to buy, renovate and sell on for a profit get 800 euros to spend at a sunny French market. They’ll get expert advice from dealer Mark Franks on what’s hot and what’s not before upcycling their purchases and selling them on – with the winner stealing everyone’s profits. Colin finds a vintage mirror that he thinks could be a winner. Katie restores an old industrial table to its former glory. And body paint artist Amanda gives a shop mannequin a makeover. But what will the buyers in Manchester think of their wares?
S01:E09 - Le Val & Clapham
Three Brits who think they’ve got an eye for bargain homewares and collectibles - and the skills to upcycle - get 800 euros to spend at a French market, with expert help from dealer Mark Franks. Once they’ve bought their items it’s time to head back home to upcycle them and sell them on for a profit. It’s winner takes all with the person who makes the most profit taking everyone’s cash. Alison finds an old bird cage she wants to clean up as a decorative item. Alys places her bets on an antique rocking horse selling well. And Louise spruces up a hall coat stand. Then it’s off to Clapham where the buyers are waiting.
S01:E10 - Montpellier & Shoreditch
Three rivals go head to head in a French market to see who can pick up the best bargains, with help from dealer Mark Franks. Once they’ve shopped they head back to the UK where they’ve got one day to upcycle their purchases and then one day to sell them. Whoever makes the most profit wins - and takes everyone else’s cash. Today our competitors are battling it out in Montpellier, Southern France. Siobhan thinks a retro tapestry could be a real money spinner. Raj creates a personalised table top by printing a photograph on to MDF. And Lyn upcycles a 100-year-old cot.
S01:E11 - Carptentras & Manchester
Today’s competition begins in Carpentras, south France, where three rivals go head to head to see who can bag the best bargains from a sunny French flea market. They’ve each got 800 euros to buy and upcycle their items before selling them on in Manchester. They’ll be helped throughout by expert and dealer Mark Franks. Painter and decorator Lydia shows us how to give a pair of side tables the shabby-chic look. Art-student Duncan pins his hopes on a retro 3-piece nesting table set. And Clair spends big on an old railway lamp, which she thinks could make a great interior design piece.
S01:E12 - Place De La Bastille & York
Three Brits who think they’ve got what it takes to buy low in France and sell high back home get a day in a Paris market, with 800 euros to spend and dealer Mark Franks on hand to help. Back in the UK they have one day to upcycle their goods before selling them on. Whoever makes the most profit wins everyone else’s cash. John spends big on an industrial lamp, convinced it’s on-trend enough to return a big profit. Mark turns a battered old picture frame into a stylish blackboard. And Agata buys an antique sunlamp which she thinks will sell for more profit after she’s turned it into a mirror. But will the buyers of York give them a profit on their purchases?
S01:E13 - Jonzac & Brighton 2
Three Brits with a passion for vintage homewares and collectibles get 800 euros to spend at a French Market, with dealer Mark Franks keeping an eye. Back home they get one day to upcycle their purchases before selling them on in Brighton. It’s winner takes all as the person who makes the most money walks away with everyone’s cash. Nadia has high hopes for a 19th century bread-delivery bicycle. Fiona buys an old wooden chest which she converts into a cushioned bench seat. Nick shows us some simple techniques for upcycling a wooden child’s desk and chair.
S01:E14 - Villeneuveles-Avignon & Shoreditch
Three rivals with a passion for homewares and an eye for a deal head to a French market in search of bargains to take home, upcycle and sell on – with 800 euros and expert help from dealer Mark Franks. Sarah finds an old chemists’ lamp she think she can turn a profit on, while David sees potential in some vintage circus advertising posters. And Nila thinks she’s struck gold when she finds an antique wardrobe that flat packs like a modern piece. But will the buyers in Shoreditch, East London, want to give any of them a profit on their purchases?
S01:E15 - Rians & Fulham
Three Brits with an eye for a deal get a day at a French market, with 800 euros to spend and dealer Mark Franks on hand to help. Back in the UK, they have one day to upcycle their purchases before selling them on in Hammersmith in London. Tracy strikes gold when she picks up a set of four dining chairs for under £20. Maj converts some French wine bottles into lamps. And Helen gets creative –turning a vintage trunk into a coffee table and wine cabinet. But who will sell their goods for the most profit and steal everyone else’s cash?
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