From Tours to Loches via Mareau-aux-Prés and Noyers-sur-Cher: 10 Centre-Loire Valley flea markets this Whitsun weekend, including the 150th Vicq-sur-Nahon fair.
The Centre-Val de Loire region knows how to make hunting last. It concentrates some of France's oldest flea fairs — Vicq-sur-Nahon enters its 150th edition this Sunday — and plays the heritage card with medieval halls, royal towns and riverbanks that turn every vide-grenier into a proper outing. The Whitsun weekend adds the annual layer of major village festivities. Our pick goes to the Vide-Maisons Mareauzidées in Mareau-aux-Prés (Loiret): an almost-unique format in France where over 60 residents open their doors and gardens to hunters armed with a map. Worth trying if you tire of stall-and-table setups.
150th Vicq-sur-Nahon antique fair, a record in Indre
The Vicq-sur-Nahon antique fair celebrates its 150th edition in 2026, a remarkable longevity even by French standards. Around 80 exhibitors invest the village in the pays de Valençay, offering furniture, knick-knacks and antiques in a festive setting, with entertainment and a raffle. Pitches are free of charge — increasingly rare. A historic event in northern Boischaut, to combine with a visit to the nearby Château de Valençay. A day apart on the regional calendar, more attached to its memory than to its size.
Rue Colbert vide-grenier, 170 sellers in Vieux-Tours (Indre-et-Loire)
On Sunday May 24, rue Colbert turns into a long open-air market. This historic Vieux-Tours street, which once linked the cathedral to the Loire, hosts nearly 170 sellers offering used goods, clothing, books and curiosities. The setting — half-timbered houses, medieval façades, the cathedral Saint-Gatien in perspective — gives the day an immediately recognisable character. Arrive early: best pitches go from 7am, and the street fills quickly with strollers.
27th Richelieu Antiques Salon, under 17th-century halls (Indre-et-Loire)
For three days, May 23 to 25, the Richelieu Antiques Salon sets up under the monumental halls of the Cardinal's city. Around twenty professional dealers display furniture, porcelain, faience, chandeliers, jewellery, antique linen and decorative objects. An intimate but demanding format: here, you come for the fine piece, not the bric-à-brac. The architectural setting — listed halls from the great urban project of the cardinal — is worth the trip on its own. Combine with a tour of Richelieu's planned town.
Brocante en Fête in Noyers-sur-Cher, 200-300 sellers along the canal (Loir-et-Cher)
On Sunday May 24, Noyers-sur-Cher pulls out all the stops: 200 to 300 sellers set up on rue du Port, along the Berry canal, organised by the firefighters' association of the 3 Provinces. The day starts at 6am and mixes hunting with brass band, barrel race, traditional pastries and an evening show. One of the most complete village festivals in Loir-et-Cher for Whitsun, with real seller density and an atmosphere that stretches late. Best for those who want a whole-day event rather than just a vide-grenier.
Vide-Maisons Mareauzidées in Mareau-aux-Prés, 60 open houses (Loiret)
On Sunday May 24, the Mareauzidées association runs an almost-unique format in France: a vide-maisons where over 60 village residents open their doors and gardens to visitors holding a map. Walking through Mareau-aux-Prés from house to house, looking for furniture, books, tableware and curiosities offered directly at people's homes: unprecedented in the Loire Valley. A friendly format that turns hunting into a stroll and lets you discover this winegrowing village and its riverside gardens near Orléans.
Whitsun vide-grenier in Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin, formerly Fête de la Salade (Loiret)
The Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin Whitsun vide-grenier, formerly known as Fête de la Salade, is one of the most awaited popular events in this riverside town next to Orléans. Every Whit Sunday, Place du 11 Novembre turns into a large second-hand market. The event plays the family card fully, with food and community entertainment. A good entry point for anyone wanting to hunt near Orléans without diving into city-centre traffic.
Villers-les-Ormes vide-grenier, 250 sellers in Indre
The Villers-les-Ormes vide-grenier is one of the largest in Indre with its 250 sellers. On Sunday May 24, it takes over the village between Châteauroux and Buzançais, drawing hunters from across the department and beyond. The breadth of the offer — private sellers and small dealers alike — and the village-fair atmosphere make it a fixture of the Berry calendar. Parking and food on site, easy access from the A20.
La Ferté-Vidame spring fair, 120 sellers in the Perche (Eure-et-Loir)
On Sunday May 24, the festival committee of La Ferté-Vidame hosts its spring fair in the village centre. Around 120 sellers — private and professional — take over the streets and squares of this charming Perche commune, labelled Petite Cité de Caractère. Antique furniture, tableware, knick-knacks and curiosities sit side by side at the foot of the Saint-Simon château ruins, in a typical Perche atmosphere. Pair with a walk on the ruins, one of the most moving sites in the Perche regional nature park.
Maison des Brocanteurs outdoor fair, in the Hôtel-Dieu courtyard at Châteaudun (Eure-et-Loir)
On Sunday May 24, the Maison des Brocanteurs outdoor fair holds its monthly event in the Hôtel-Dieu courtyard at Châteaudun. Regional dealers and outside guests display their finds in this exceptional heritage setting on the 4th Sunday from April to September. Free entry, objects from €10, quality selection: a format halfway between flea market and antique fair, scaled to a historic Centre town.
Boulevard Béranger professional flea market in Tours (Indre-et-Loire)
Every fourth Sunday of the month, from 7am to 7pm, the Boulevard Béranger professional flea market brings together around a hundred specialists in flea, antiques and decoration on this large central Tours boulevard. Furniture, art objects, knick-knacks and curiosities form the broadest hunting offer in Touraine, in a tree-lined pedestrian setting. The monthly format draws hunters from across the region as well as regular dealers. The May 24 edition falls right on Whitsun: a perfect opportunity for a Tours Sunday capped with a Loire-side walk.
Also worth a look this weekend in Centre-Loire Valley
For more regional weekend hunting picks, visit our national agenda. Happy Whitsun to Loire Valley hunters.
