From the Basque Country to Périgord, 11 flea markets for the Ascension long weekend: 250 stalls at Montignac, militaria, vintage mopeds, Arcangues antiques.
With its twelve departments stretching from the Gironde estuary to the Pyrenees foothills, Nouvelle-Aquitaine never does things by halves on the Ascension long weekend. Eleven hunting grounds stand out this weekend, from large professional antique fairs to village yard sales, with two specialised collectors' fairs in the mix. Our pick of the week: Les Makilas de la Brocante d'Arcangues, celebrating its 21st edition in the Basque Country interior — 80 hand-picked professional dealers across two days, this is the unmissable event. And for connoisseurs, two niche fairs stand out: militaria in Pont-du-Casse, multi-collections in Magnac-Bourg.
Les Makilas de la Brocante d'Arcangues: 21st edition in the Basque Country
Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17, Les Makilas de la Brocante d'Arcangues takes over the centre of the village for its 21st edition. Eighty hand-picked professional dealers display antiques, vintage, design and bric-a-brac from 9 am to 7 pm in one of the prettiest villages of the Labourd. The setting is exceptional: red and white timber-framed houses, pelota court and the iconic Basque-style church. The €4 entry fee (free under 18) is one of the rare paid flea markets of the weekend but filters the offer towards real connoisseurs. Best for lovers of character furniture and patinated decoration.
Bric à Brac of Montignac-Charente Racecourse: 250 stalls by the river
Saturday May 16, Montignac-Charente's Cultural and Equestrian Animation Committee hosts its annual Bric à Brac at the racecourse, route d'Aigre. Up to 250 exhibitors set up on a first-come, first-served basis at €2 per linear metre. Entry is free for visitors, generous parking, and the on-site bar serves grilled food, sandwiches and snacks all day. One of the largest spring yard sales in Charente, in a country setting that changes from the usual town squares. Private sellers and dealers mingle in the unhurried good mood typical of rural Charente.
Spring Flea Market in Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire: 300 stalls
Sunday May 17, the Plaisance Fête Committee hosts its Spring Flea Market on the Esplanade de Plaisance. Over 300 exhibitors, both private and professional, lay out their finds from 8 am to 7 pm for this big day of hunting in southern Charente. Pitches are €2.50 per linear metre and entry is free. With such volume, you will find pretty much everything: rustic Southwest French furniture, crockery, knick-knacks, books, vintage clothing, old toys and curiosities. A safe bet on the Charente calendar if you happen to be near Cognac or Angoulême.
Arms and Militaria Fair in Pont-du-Casse (Lot-et-Garonne)
Sunday May 17, the Billard Club Cassipontin hosts its Arms and Militaria Fair at the sports hall, rue du Général de Gaulle. Forty-five professional exhibitors from across France offer antique arms, uniforms, decorations, military equipment, medals and specialised publications. This is the unmissable rendez-vous for militaria collectors in southwest France, ten minutes from Agen. Targeted audience (passionate and well-informed collectors), but worth a visit out of historical curiosity. Sometimes rare pieces, serious transactions, club atmosphere.
Moped Fair in Saint-Mexant: parts swap meet and yard sale (Corrèze)
Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17, the Moped Fair of Saint-Mexant combines a parts swap meet for mopeds, motorbikes and vintage cars, a large yard sale, a local producers' market and motor rides. The town hall square and the hamlet of La Croix de la Chapelle host vintage mechanics enthusiasts and bargain hunters across two days. An original event at the crossroads of flea market and retro-mobile, perfect for anyone hunting a rare spare part or simply looking for a themed weekend. Friendly, rural, old-school.
Strawberry Fair Yard Sale in Vergt: hunting in festive mode (Dordogne)
Sunday May 17, the Strawberry Fair Yard Sale is part of the great popular celebration honouring the historic capital of the strawberry in Périgord. Strawberry market, flower market, gourmet market, vintage car show, demonstrations of mules and Poitou draft horses: the yard sale is just one part of a rich day, but it draws many sellers to the heart of the town. Ideal for combining hunting with a family outing, with local strawberry tasting as a bonus. One of the major Périgord spring rendez-vous.
Domme Yard Sale: hunting in a hilltop bastide (Dordogne)
Sunday May 17, the Amicale Laïque Domme Cénac hosts its Yard Sale at the Public Garden of Domme, a medieval bastide classed among the most beautiful villages in France. From 10 am to 5 pm, sellers display their treasures against a panoramic backdrop over the Dordogne valley. The event is charitable (in aid of Domme and Cénac schoolchildren) and the atmosphere is family-friendly. Not the largest yard sale of the weekend, but probably the one with the most spectacular setting in the whole selection. To combine with a visit to the bastide and the Domme cave.
Loup'arts Yard Sale in Saint-Loup-Lamairé: medieval setting (Deux-Sèvres)
Sunday May 17, the cultural association Les Loup'arts hosts its annual Yard Sale in the medieval village of Saint-Loup-Lamairé, classed as a Petite Cité de Caractère. Eighty exhibitors lay out bric-a-brac, vintage objects, books, crockery and curiosities at the foot of the Renaissance castle and between the half-timbered houses of the 15th and 16th centuries. One of the most beautiful hunting backdrops in the Deux-Sèvres, to discover if you are near Parthenay or Thouars. Free entry, authentic village atmosphere.
Marçay yard sale and plant fair: 160 stalls in hybrid mode (Vienne)
Saturday May 16, Marçay hosts its yard sale doubled with a plant fair, route de Celles-l'Évescault, from 8 am to 6 pm. One hundred and sixty exhibitors gather at €1 per linear metre (no reservation needed), in an original format combining traditional hunting and horticultural market. Vegetable plants, perennials, shrubs, but also crockery, furniture, toys and curiosities: a rare mix that attracts both bargain hunters and gardeners from southern Vienne. Excellent value, head there early.
Multi-collections Fair in Magnac-Bourg: philately, vinyl and minerals (Haute-Vienne)
Sunday May 17, the village hall of Magnac-Bourg hosts its annual Multi-collections Fair. Postcards, stamps, coins, figurines, vinyl records, minerals: this specialised fair 35 km south of Limoges brings together collectors and dealers from across the Limousin region and beyond. Easy access thanks to the immediate proximity of the A20 Paris-Toulouse motorway. A more focused event than a generalist flea market, ideal if you are hunting a specific item or want to discover a collecting theme. Specialist audience, studious atmosphere, piece-by-piece transactions.
Grand Yard Sale in Soustons: 120 stalls undercover in southern Landes
Sunday May 17, the Grand Yard Sale of Soustons brings together one hundred and twenty exhibitors in the Résano hangar, rue de Moscou. One of the largest yard sales in the town and one of the biggest Landes rendez-vous of the weekend. The hangar is an asset: a spacious covered setting that lets the event go ahead whatever the weather. Mostly private sellers, a few professionals, crockery, clothes, toys, furniture, knick-knacks: varied and accessible hunting. On-site catering and bar, twenty minutes from the Landes beaches.
Braud en Fête: four-day yard sale in Gironde
From May 14 to 17, Braud en Fête in Braud-et-Saint-Louis combines a large yard sale, funfair, 90s DJ night and fireworks within the local fête. The yard sale runs over two days and benefits from the wider animation of the village for a festive rather than utilitarian atmosphere. A full-weekend format, ideal for those who want to enjoy the Ascension long weekend between northern Gironde and the estuary. Free entry, drinks and grilled food by local associations.
Also worth a look this weekend in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Retro Salon in Lourdoueix-Saint-Pierre celebrates 10 years on Saturday May 16 at the Foyer Rural with furniture, antique toys, coins and jewellery on the edge of the Creuse and Indre.
- Tarnos yard sale on Sunday May 17 in the Parc de la Nature, for hunters from the Bayonne-Anglet-Biarritz area and southern Landes.
- Boeil-Bezing yard sale on Sunday May 17 at the socio-cultural hall, for a quiet day in Béarn.
For more regional weekend picks, head to our national agenda. Enjoy the Ascension long weekend and happy hunting.
