Event: Take a day trip to France – without leaving Suffolk

- Fancy taking a day trip to France? Visit Bildeston’s summer Boule-in. . .

Bringing the sights, sounds, scents and endlessly browsable brocante stalls of Provence to the heart of Suffolk, Bildeston’s Boule-in market is back for summer. Running June 17 to 25, the Fête d’Été is billed as an “enchanting decorative lifestyle event” which “transports you to the very best of French brocantes. . . antiques, design-led vintage and mid-century pieces, garden furniture and lifestyle accessories, all beautifully curated with theatrical flair and summer living in mind”.

Highlights of the summer event will include a Cote d'Azur-themed undersea display, canopied with Murano glass fish, ages-old bottles and Mediterranean seashells and featuring a Captain’s table topped with antique candlesticks, 19th century glass and Sarreguemines ceramics, and collections of modern-rustic kitchenalia, children’s bedroom accessories and Boho garden furniture.

Set out across the house, garden and outbuildings of Cathy and Peter Bullen’s High Street home, everything on show is for sale, with collections refreshed and topped up daily throughout the week-long fête. Sourcing their wares directly from France, where they have a second home, Cathy says: “It’s the wow factor we love creating.

“We spend several weeks creating a magical setting to display our collections - after all we spend five months a year scouring the best French markets and brocantes, so you don’t have to!”

With stock spanning a wide range of styles, periods and price-points, there’s something for everyone, Cathy adds, from “soaps, tea towels and gorgeous French baskets beside Biöt glass goblets and chateau-worthy crystal chandeliers.”

Entertainment includes live accordion music and flower crown workshops, while refreshments are provided by a garden cafe and a retro French bar.

- Fête d’Été runs from June 17 to 25, open 10am to 6pm daily, and entry is free. The Bullens are also hosting two charity fundraising ticketed events: a preview on Friday, June 16, 1pm to 6pm, and a Midsummer's Eve celebration on Wednesday, June 21, 6pm to 8pm. Monies will be divided between Combat Stress, Macmillan Cancer Support, Bildeston Church Restoration Fund and a guest charity. For more and to book, go to boule-in.co.uk