Isigny's harbour party, Cierrey's double fair: Normandy hunting July 18-19

This weekend of July 18-19, Normandy is not simply lining up car boot sales. Several dates come with a twist. In Isigny-sur-Mer, the harbour car boot sale turns into a full-blown maritime festival with traditional doris boat blessings. In Cierrey, a flea market and a book fair share the same bill, on the same weekend, over two full days.

So where should you go hunting this weekend in Normandy? Our pick goes to Isigny and its waterside guinguette mood.

But the round-up is wide: from Arromanches, a name forever tied to D-Day, to the Perche hills in the Orne. Along the way, there is also the famous Place Saint-Marc market in Rouen. Twelve stops to follow, from Saturday July 18 to Sunday July 19, across Calvados, Eure, Manche, Orne and Seine-Maritime.

Car boot sale and harbour festival in Isigny-sur-Mer (Calvados)

Our pick of the weekend. On Sunday July 19, the Isigny-sur-Mer harbour festival turns the quay and the Petit Marais promenade, at Les Hogues, into a big date. It becomes a true celebration of hunting and festivity alike.

A car boot sale along the quay, a guinguette mood and waterside food stalls make up a day apart. Traditional doris boat blessings add a maritime touch rarely seen elsewhere. The day is open to private sellers and professionals, food trades excluded.

Between 50 and 100 sellers are expected in this Norman harbour town, known for its AOP butter and cream. A chance to hunt for bargains, then linger on the quays among traditional boats and local treats. A break that goes well beyond a simple stall-clearing sale.

Double fair in Cierrey: flea market and book fair (Eure)

Cierrey brings together two traditions at once, from Saturday July 18 to Sunday July 19. On the bill: the 44th edition of its flea market and the 19th edition of its book fair. Head to 1 rue de la Mare des Chenes, in this Norman village of the Eure. The double programme spreads over two full days, a rarity on the regional calendar.

Fans of general second-hand hunting and bibliophiles each find their own aisle, without leaving empty-handed. The longevity of both events, 44 and 19 editions respectively, speaks for itself. The date stays firmly rooted in village life, far from the short-lived fairs that fade after a few seasons.

Place Saint-Marc flea market, Rouen (Seine-Maritime)

Three times a week, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Place Saint-Marc hosts one of Normandy's most iconic flea markets. This weekend of July 18-19 is no exception. Vintage furniture, retro clothing, vinyl records, old jewellery and knick-knacks of every kind fill the Norman capital.

The recurring weekly format makes it a safe bet for anyone passing through Rouen without having planned their weekend in advance. Regular hunters and dealers mix in an authentic atmosphere, a stone's throw from the cathedral.

Saint-Jacques car boot sales, Montebourg (Manche)

On Saturday July 18, Montebourg comes alive for its Saint-Jacques car boot sales, one of the big popular summer dates in the Cotentin. With 110 sellers announced, the event fills the streets of the town. Montebourg, the first in France to be liberated in 1944, brings together residents and passing visitors in a festive atmosphere.

The density of sellers makes it one of the highlights of the Saturday on the Manche side. The link to the local Saint-Jacques festivities has much to do with it. Ideal for anyone who prefers hunting early in the weekend, before heading to the coast.

Fatouville-Grestain flea market (Eure)

Perched above the Seine estuary, this village hosts its annual flea market on Sunday July 19. Facing the Port-Jerome refineries and the wide waters of the estuary, this village of the Roumois offers an unusual setting. A day of second-hand hunting between private sellers, off the beaten track.

The contrast between the industrial skyline in the distance and the calm of the village is worth the detour on its own. A rural, authentic flea market, away from the crowds, for lovers of wide-open views over the Seine.

Hippodrome car boot sale, Breville-sur-Mer (Manche)

Head to the local Hippodrome on Sunday July 19, where Breville-sur-Mer sets up its annual car boot sale. This unlikely setting, usually dedicated to horse racing, welcomes private sellers. The site stretches between the pastures of the Cotentin and the shores of the Manche.

The format breaks from the usual village square. Here, you hunt for bargains on the grass of a racecourse, in a relaxed, countryside atmosphere. A curiosity worth noting for anyone who likes unusual venues.

Les Elites flea market, Dieppe (Seine-Maritime)

In Dieppe, the Les Elites association runs its flea market on Sunday July 19, at 5 rue Thiers. Majorette and dance demonstrations bring the event to life. Hunting mixes with performance here, in a festive, typically Dieppe atmosphere.

Private sellers and dealers spread out their finds while the Elites perform their choreographies in the street. An original date a stone's throw from the seafront, for anyone who likes to combine hunting with neighbourhood entertainment.

Beaulieu village festival car boot sale (Orne)

In Beaulieu, the car boot sale welcomes sellers from 7am to 6pm on Sunday July 19, with free pitches. It is part of a full festive weekend run by the local festival committee. Clay pigeon shooting, funfair rides, mass and a communal meal round out the programme.

The free pitches draw a wide range of sellers from the area. A chance to combine morning hunting with communal festivities in this Orne village, for a full day on site.

Noce July car boot sale (Orne)

In Perche-en-Noce, the festival committee runs its car boot sale on Sunday July 19, at the place de la salle des fetes. The event is part of a festive weekend that started the previous evening. A barbecue, a dance and fireworks kicked off the celebrations.

The Sunday car boot sale thus closes out a weekend already well under way with Saturday night's festivities. A friendly format deep in the Perche hills of the Orne. Perfect for hunters who like to stretch the celebration to the very end of the weekend.

5th Eu flea market and clearance sale (Seine-Maritime)

Head to the historic town centre of Eu on Saturday July 18. The Eu & Nous association runs the 5th edition of its flea market and clearance sale there. This town of art and history in the Bresle valley sits a stone's throw from Le Treport. It combines shop-front animation with hunting through its old streets.

The 5th edition confirms how firmly the event is rooted in the local calendar. Shopkeepers and sellers mix for a festive day. It is ideal for combining a flea market with a heritage stroll before heading off to the coast at Le Treport.

Arromanches-les-Bains flea market and car boot sale (Calvados)

On Sunday July 19, this town forever linked to the D-Day beaches hosts its annual flea market and car boot sale. English and Italian twinning committees run the event. The event takes over rue Francois Carpentier, Cale Neptune and boulevard Gilbert Longuet, from 8am to 8pm.

The involvement of the twinning committees gives this flea market an extra soul. The place remains steeped in history: French and foreign visitors cross paths here every year, come to pay their respects on the nearby beaches.

Le Mage flea market (Orne)

On Sunday July 19, this village in the Perche hills of the Orne hosts its annual flea market on the Grande rue. Between 100 and 200 sellers are expected, both private and professional. Free entry, food stalls, drinks, crepes, ice cream and children's games round out the programme.

A deliberately family-friendly format: the Le Mage flea market targets hunters and families alike. Both come to spend a whole day on site, between stalls and entertainment for the youngest visitors.

Also worth a look this weekend in Normandy

• In the Eure, the Le Bois-Hellain flea market livens up this rural Roumois village on Sunday the 19th, in the tradition of Norman flea markets.
• Still in the Eure, the Touffreville car boot sale is held on Sunday the 19th on the Neubourg plateau, amid the grain-growing plain.
• In the Manche, the Annoville Pour Tous car boot sale brings together private sellers and hunters on Saturday the 18th. It sits a stone's throw from the coast of the southern Cotentin.

Fancy exploring further afield? Discover more regional hunting picks for this weekend on our national agenda. Happy finds to everyone across Normandy.