From Bagnoles-de-l'Orne to Étretat via Honfleur, Rouen and Utah Beach, twelve highlights for the Ascension long weekend: 2,200 stallholders along 2.5 km of road, antique dealers on Honfleur's Sainte-Catherine square, militaria fair facing the D-Day beaches.
From the Orne bocage to the Alabaster Coast cliffs, from the Mont-Saint-Michel bay to the Rouen quays, Normandy unfolds one of the year's densest flea-market calendars over this Ascension long weekend. Twelve highlights stand out from the 84 active brocantes: a giant fair with 2,200 stallholders, professional antique salons in the smartest Calvados ports and resorts, two militaria fairs anchored in the D-Day sites, and a handful of village-scale brocantes rooted in the Pays de Caux, Pays de Bray and Perche. Our pick this week: the Foire des Andaines near Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, arguably the biggest open-air brocante in all Normandy — 2.5 kilometres of stalls along the D386, on Saturday and Sunday, free entry.
Foire des Andaines, 2,200 stalls over 2.5 km (Orne)
On Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17, the Foire des Andaines returns along the D386, between Bagnoles-de-l'Orne and Saint-Michel-des-Andaines, deep in the Andaines state forest. Organised by the Avenir Espoir 2000 association, the event lines up more than 2,200 stallholders along nearly 2.5 kilometres: professional antique dealers, regional brocanteurs and private sellers mix in a format that is rare for its sheer scale. Norman furniture, antique earthenware, books, crockery, vinyls, toys, folk art and curios: the range is total, and you need a full day to walk the lot. Free entry, free parking at both ends, food on site. Probably the most emblematic event of Norman brocante — head there early Saturday for the best pieces.
Honfleur Professional Brocante on Sainte-Catherine square (Calvados)
The monthly Honfleur date does not fall right on Ascension, but the Honfleur Professional Brocante remains one of the finest shop windows for Norman antique dealers. Every first Sunday of the month (except January), some thirty professionals selected by Vbuffard Organisations set up on the iconic Sainte-Catherine square, at the foot of France's largest wooden church. Period furniture, tapestries, statues, paintings, silverware, earthenware, antique jewellery and household linen: the selection is tight, the prices match the quality of the pieces. Combine with a stroll around the Vieux Bassin and the half-timbered lanes for a Sunday in luxury-chineur mode.
Place Saint-Marc flea market in Rouen (Seine-Maritime)
Three days a week — Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays — the Place Saint-Marc flea market sets up its stalls a stone's throw from central Rouen. One of the most emblematic puces of Normandy, the Ascension weekend offers three consecutive sessions (May 15, 16 and 17) to discover it or come back. Vintage furniture from the 1950s to the 1980s, retro clothing, vinyls, antique jewellery, crockery, curios, books: the range is wide, the atmosphere resolutely popular, the prices affordable. Combine with the cathedral, the Gros-Horloge or the Aître Saint-Maclou. The perfect Rouen Saturday or Sunday in flea-market mode.
Ascension Brocante in Villerville (Calvados)
From Thursday May 14 to Saturday May 16, the Ascension Brocante in Villerville takes over the Espace Patrick Grainville, a former school on Rue des Poilus. Around ten specialist exhibitors offer antique furniture, decorative items, tableware, curios and bibelots in an intimate, warm setting. Villerville, a small clifftop village between Trouville and Honfleur dear to Charles Aznavour and to writer Patrick Grainville, takes on the air of a village antiques salon for three days. Tight format, careful selection, free entry from 10am to 6pm. A great pick for those who prefer the quiet of the CĂ´te Fleurie's confidential resorts to the Deauville crowds.
Étrépagny Foire à tout, 250 exhibitors in the Norman Vexin (Eure)
On Sunday May 17, the Étrépagny Foire à tout spills into every street and square in the centre of this northern Eure town. With around 250 exhibitors, it is one of the largest foires à tout in the Norman Vexin, a staple in the Eure flea-market calendar. Private sellers, occasional brocanteurs and professionals offer clothing, crockery, books, toys, furniture, curios and miscellaneous finds in a village atmosphere. Classic vide-grenier format, very affordable prices, in a town with well-preserved rural heritage. Ideal for anyone wanting to combine popular chine and a Vexin walkabout.
Pont-Audemer Foire Ă tout, the Norman Venice goes brocante (Eure)
On Sunday May 17, the Pont-Audemer Foire Ă tout unfolds its stalls across the squares and lanes of the historic centre of this art-and-history town nicknamed the Norman Venice. Private sellers and occasional exhibitors offer their items at open prices, in a heritage setting criss-crossed by canals of the river Risle and lined with half-timbered houses. Pont-Audemer keeps a very active brocante calendar all year round, but this spring foire Ă tout in May remains one of its highlights. Combine with a wander around the old town and its bridges.
Utah Beach Brocante and Vide-Grenier in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (Manche)
A one-of-a-kind event in Normandy, the Utah Beach Brocante and Vide-Grenier takes place in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, facing the D-Day landing beach. Organised by the Friends of Utah Beach association, it lines up 120 exhibitors with a strong specialty in military objects: uniforms, helmets, equipment, documents and Second World War memorabilia sit alongside a classic general brocante. The setting is exceptional, a stone's throw from the Landing Museum and the Atlantic Wall bunkers. Mixed audience of militaria collectors, passing chineurs and memory-tourism visitors. A rare combination of history and brocante.
Écausseville Militaria Fair, inside the airship hangar (Manche)
For history buffs, the Écausseville Military Antiques Fair, run by The Black Lions association, takes place in a setting unique in the world: the Écausseville airship hangar, a listed monument built in 1919 and one of the few still standing in France. This colossal concrete-and-steel structure, 150 metres long and 30 metres high, regularly hosts militaria fairs that bring together specialist collectors and dealers from across France. Militaria, D-Day equipment and memorabilia, two steps from the Utah and Omaha beaches. The venue alone is worth the trip, even without a specific interest in military collecting.
Anisy vide-grenier with classic-car display (Calvados)
On Sunday May 17, the Anisy vide-grenier, jointly organised by the Vie & Envies and ASELA associations, takes place in this rural Calvados village a few kilometres north-west of Caen. The event stands out for a simultaneous classic-and-prestige car display in front of the town hall, adding an original touch to the day of chine. Private sellers and occasional brocanteurs offer the vide-grenier classics (clothing, toys, crockery, books, furniture) while retro-mobile fans admire the vehicles on show. Friendly village format, food on site, ideal for a family outing or a gathering of car enthusiasts.
Grand vide-grenier in Gonneville-la-Mallet, near Étretat (Seine-Maritime)
On Sunday May 17, the Grand vide-grenier in Gonneville-la-Mallet takes over the Maupassant and Gosselin squares in this Pays de Caux village, ten minutes from the Étretat cliffs. Organised by the Association Sports et Loisirs, this signature spring event in the Caux brings together private sellers and chineurs around stalls of clothing, toys, books, crockery, curios and miscellaneous finds in a village atmosphere. Combine with a walk to the Étretat cliffs or the Antifer lighthouse for a full Alabaster Coast day. Free entry.
Pîtres Grande Foire à tout, where Seine meets Andelle (Eure)
On Sunday May 17, the Pîtres Grande Foire à tout brings exhibitors and chineurs together in this town at the confluence of the Seine and the Andelle rivers, halfway between Rouen and Les Andelys. The geographical setting is exceptional, at the crossroads of two emblematic Norman valleys, and the fair is one of the spring highlights of northern Eure. Private sellers and occasional pros set out objects, clothing, crockery and furniture across the central squares and streets. Classic vide-grenier format, affordable prices, family atmosphere. Ideal for combining chine with a walk along the Seine banks.
Saint-Jouin-de-Blavou vide-grenier, 200 stalls in the Perche (Orne)
On Sunday May 17, the Saint-Jouin-de-Blavou vide-grenier brings around 200 exhibitors to this village in the Perche ornais. Organised by the local village committee, the event runs 6am to 6pm with a wide range of second-hand items at open prices. Free entry, exhibitor rate of €2 per linear metre, food on site. The Perche, with its rolling bocage landscape, its manor houses and well-preserved villages, makes an ideal setting for this day of rural chine. Combine with a visit to Mortagne-au-Perche, the region's historic capital, or one of the many manor houses open to the public in the area.
Also worth a look this weekend in Normandy
- Rives-en-Seine brocante fair on Sunday May 17 on the Seine quays at Caudebec-en-Caux: around fifty professionals and collectors facing the river and the Brotonne forest (Seine-Maritime).
- Secours Populaire Foire à tout on Saturday May 16 at the Oissel Palais des congrès, a charity format south of Rouen (Seine-Maritime).
For more regional weekend picks, head to our national agenda. Enjoy the Ascension long weekend, and happy chine.
