From the Alabaster Coast to the Perche, Vernon to Octeville-sur-Mer: 10 Normandy flea markets this Whitsun weekend, from antiques fairs to a horse-farm vide-grenier.
Normandy has an atypical hunting calendar for Whitsun. Several major events stretch their format over 3 or 4 days — Vernon's Cherry Fair, the Saint-Valery-en-Caux Antiques Salon — while the Perche and Pays de Caux multiply traditional Sunday foires à tout. A regional curiosity: a vide-grenier set in a purebred Arab horse stud farm, a near-unique format in France. Our pick this week: the Haras du Chêne vide-grenier in Perche-en-Nocé. Hunting equestrian gear, second-hand saddles and knick-knacks in the heart of the Perche regional nature park, with pony rides and entertainment for kids — a world apart from car-park vide-greniers.
Saint-Valery-en-Caux Antiques Salon, three days on the Alabaster Coast (Seine-Maritime)
From Saturday May 23 to Monday May 25, the village hall of Saint-Valery-en-Caux hosts an antiques salon bringing together dealers from across Normandy. Antique furniture, paintings, tableware, jewellery, prints, rare books and collector's items await in this charming seaside town between Dieppe and Fécamp. Three days of indoor exhibition, to enjoy at a leisurely pace, in a coastal town that is worth the trip in itself — cliffs, marina and beautiful brick façades.
Bourg-Achard Whitsun foire à tout, two days at the gates of Rouen (Eure)
On May 23 and 24, Bourg-Achard hosts its big open-air foire à tout over two days. This Norman town in the Roumois, at the western gates of Rouen, makes use of the long weekend to spread stands across the centre. Sellers and visitors meet in a relaxed atmosphere — clothing, toys, tableware, furniture, books, vinyl. Free entry. The advantage of the two-day format: a quieter Saturday for serious hunting, a more festive Sunday with food and entertainment.
Vernon Cherry Fair, four days in the Seine valley (Eure)
From May 22 to 25, the Vernon Cherry Fair celebrates local produce, Norman crafts and country traditions in the heart of the town. Producers' market, entertainment, concerts and an animation fair take place across four days in the pedestrian zone. It is less a classic flea market than a major annual popular celebration, inherited from a long agricultural tradition of the Seine valley. Ideal for combining hunting, tastings and strolling. Combine with a visit to Monet's gardens at Giverny, just a few kilometres away.
Octeville-sur-Mer vide-grenier, facing the cliffs (Seine-Maritime)
On Sunday May 24, the Octeville-sur-Mer festival committee runs its big vide-grenier at Michel Adam stadium, just steps from the sea and the cliffs. A family day that brings together dozens of sellers offering clothing, toys, books, tableware, knick-knacks and various finds in this coastal town on the Alabaster Coast. The location, minutes from Le Havre, attracts a mixed public of coastal residents and Le Havre locals making the most of the long weekend. Open format, relaxed atmosphere.
Motteville Whitsun foire à tout, in the Pays de Caux (Seine-Maritime)
On Sunday May 24, the Malta en Fêtes festival committee runs its traditional Whitsun foire à tout in the centre of Motteville. An awaited annual event that animates this Pays de Caux village and brings together sellers and hunters around stalls of clothing, toys, tableware, furniture and various finds. Village and festive atmosphere, halfway between Yvetot and Rouen. Classic Sunday format, ideal for hunters who don't want to head down to the coast this weekend.
Mesnil-Réaume flea market, at the Pays de Caux stadium (Seine-Maritime)
USNormande runs its annual flea market on the football stadium of Mesnil-Réaume, a charming Pays de Caux village near the sea. A hunting and convivial day where private sellers and amateur dealers display objects, furniture, clothing, toys and various finds for the benefit of the local football club. An awaited spring event in Seine-Maritime, a few kilometres from Le Tréport. Open and popular format, combining association support and an open-air hunting day.
Haras du Chêne vide-grenier in Perche-en-Nocé, a unique equestrian format (Orne)
On Sunday May 24, the Haras du Chêne vide-grenier takes place in the exceptional setting of this purebred Arab horse breeding farm at Perche-en-Nocé. From 7:30am to 6pm, sellers offer used items and equestrian equipment at this original vide-sellerie. Children enjoy pony rides and equestrian activities throughout the day. A unique event in France that mixes hunting with the horse world in the heart of the Perche regional nature park. A pick for families and horse lovers, a format light years from the usual car-park vide-greniers.
Boissy-Maugis vide-grenier, 200 sellers in the Orne Perche
The Boissy-Maugis vide-grenier brings together around 200 sellers in the village streets and surrounding land each year. Organised by the festival committee, it offers a flea market and a producers' market from 6am to 6pm on Sunday May 24. Pitch €5 for 5 metres, no reservation. One of the most complete events in the Orne Perche for Whitsun, in a well-preserved village setting. Combine with a scenic drive between Mortagne-au-Perche and Bellême.
Alençon vinyl fair, at Aveline media library (Orne)
On Saturday May 23, the Alençon vinyl fair takes place at the Aveline media library, in the Cour Carrée de la Dentelle. The event brings together collectors and sellers of vinyl records of all genres and eras, in a pleasant cultural setting. Free entry. A specialist format that breaks from the generalist vide-grenier — ideal for music lovers hunting for jazz, rock, soundtracks or rare Japanese pressings. Combine with a walk through the historic centre of Alençon, with the UNESCO-listed point d'Alençon lace tradition as backdrop.
Tourville-en-Auge vide-grenier, at the fairground (Calvados)
On Sunday May 24, the Tourville-en-Auge vide-grenier takes place at the fairground on rue Philippe Lebbon. This Pays d'Auge village, between Deauville and Pont-l'Évêque, hosts private sellers and hunters for an open-air day of finds. Free entry, food on site. A Pays d'Auge village format, in an area dense with heritage — half-timbered manors, cheese dairies, calvados distilleries — that lends itself naturally to a weekend outing. A pleasant alternative to crowded seaside resorts this Sunday.
Also worth a look this weekend in Normandy
- Or'Numis numismatic fair holds its annual session on May 24 at the village hall of Silly-en-Gouffern (Orne): old coins, banknotes, medals and numismatic items.
- Gasny vide-grenier brocante takes over the centre of this Norman commune on May 24, on the doorstep of Giverny and the Epte valley — the perfect chance to follow with Monet's gardens.
For more regional weekend hunting picks, visit our national agenda. Happy Whitsun to Norman hunters.
