Pentecost hunting in Occitanie: Tarbes militaria, 200 stalls at Muret, dry-stone fête

From one end to the other of France's largest mainland region, Occitanie offers this weekend a rare mosaic: the 20th Octan Maxi Yard Sale in Muret, a militaria fair hosted by the paratroopers of the 35th RAP in Tarbes, a village fête dedicated to dry-stone walling in Villespassans, a yard sale paired with a plant fair in Bas-Armagnac and 34 editions on the clock in Gréalou. Our pick of the weekend: the Mille et Une Pierres Fête in Villespassans on Sunday — one of the rare regional yard sales built around a living heritage, the dry-stone construction of the Saint-Chinianais.

Mille et Une Pierres Fête in Villespassans: hunt and hike (Hérault)

Sunday May 24, the village of Villespassans celebrates its dry-stone heritage with the Mille et Une Pierres Fête. Programme: yard sale, craft market, hike along the 1001 stones trail, dry-stone construction demonstration, kids' activities, vintage car show and concerts. A hybrid format between heritage fête and flea market, deeply rooted in local Saint-Chinianais culture. Ideal for those who want to combine hunting, hiking and discovering a vernacular skill on its way to UNESCO recognition.

Tarbes Militaria and Antiques Fair at the 35th RAP (Hautes-Pyrénées)

Sunday May 24, the 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment Amicale hosts its Militaria and Antiques Fair at place de la Courte Boule, facing the Soult quarter of the 35th RAP. One of the benchmark rendez-vous for military object collectors in southwest France: antique weapons, uniforms, decorations, medals, equipment, specialist publications. Targeted audience (passionate and well-informed collectors), but worth a visit for the historical curiosity and the regimental atmosphere you won't find elsewhere.

20th Octan Maxi Yard Sale in Mureth (Haute-Garonne)

Sunday May 24, the Octan de Mureth association runs its 20th Maxi Yard Sale from 6 am to 6 pm, around Square Monzon at the northern entrance to Muret. Reserved for private sellers, this large yard sale brings together up to 200 exhibitors in a friendly atmosphere, with bar, catering and entertainment. Twenty editions on the clock — one of the most solid yard-sale community anchors in southern Toulouse. Registration via HelloAsso or by post. Free entry for visitors.

Villemur-sur-Tarn yard sale and flea market (Haute-Garonne)

Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24, the Henri IV association runs the Villemur-sur-Tarn yard sale and flea market at the Bernadou park, avenue du Général Leclerc. Between 100 and 200 private sellers and dealers set up in this leafy riverside setting, over two days. One of the rare weekend formats to span the whole Pentecost long weekend, which lets you visit at your own pace. Free entry, on-site bar and catering, easy parking.

Izotges Pentecost yard sale and plant fair (Gers)

Sunday May 24, the Izotges Pentecost yard sale and plant fair combines open-air hunting and a flower-and-plant market in this little Bas-Armagnac village, between Riscle and Mauléon-d'Armagnac. A rare and seasonal hybrid format: hunt for crockery on one side, fill your trolley with tomato seedlings and perennials on the other. Free stand for exhibitors, free entry for visitors. An ideal day for gardener-hunters of Gers and southwestern Landes.

Plaisance Yard Sale and Fine Crafts Salon (Gers)

Sunday May 24, the association Les Enfants de l'Adour hosts in Plaisance-du-Gers a yard sale paired with a fine crafts salon, from 9 am to 4 pm. The double event combines traditional hunting with the discovery of art craftspeople: ceramicists, wood turners, blacksmiths, textile designers and jewellers. €2 per metre for exhibitors, free entry. An unusual and quality format, in the Arros valley — a Gers terroir less explored than Bas-Armagnac further west.

Saint-Jean-de-Fos Giant Flea Market (Hérault)

Sunday May 24, the Saint-Jean-de-Fos Giant Flea Market gathers dealers, hunters and private sellers for a day of hunting in this potter village of the Hérault valley. Set on a vast open-air site, it attracts lovers of antiques, furniture, crockery and curiosities from across the department. Saint-Jean-de-Fos is known for its Argileum workshop-museum and its old association with pottery: a coherent setting for those chasing antique or contemporary ceramics.

Gréalou flea market: 141 stalls for the 34th edition (Lot)

Sunday May 24, the Gréalou parents' association hosts its traditional Pentecost flea market on the esplanade of the village hall. With 141 announced exhibitors and 34 editions on the clock, it is one of the best-established hunting events in Quercy blanc. Free entry, on-site catering, friendly atmosphere typical of large Lot rendez-vous. The school-association format means proceeds fund the village school — hunting and village solidarity have met here for over three decades.

La Foulée yard sale in Madiran (Hautes-Pyrénées)

Sunday May 24, the La Foulée du Madiran association hosts its yard sale in the famous wine village of the Hautes-Pyrénées. Specific feature of the event: it accompanies the namesake running race and launches the village's annual festivities, in the heart of the Madiran appellation famous for its powerful Tannat-based reds. A full-day visit to plan: hunting, running, wine tasting. Mixed audience of hunters and runners.

Binettes Solidaires of Goudargues: flea market and seed swap (Gard)

Saturday May 23, the Binettes Solidaires of Goudargues (the "Venice of the Gard") host their original yard sale at the Camping du Mas de Rome. The specifity: a format mixing classical flea market with seed and plant collection-and-exchange. Garden tools, seedlings, seeds and miscellaneous objects mingle in a festive and ecological day, in the Rhône Gard. A real alternative to urban flea markets, in the spirit of new community formats of hunting and solidarity.

Maranel yard sale in an Albi neighbourhood (Tarn)

Sunday May 24, the Maranel district in Albi turns into a vast hunting ground thanks to the yard sale run by the neighbourhood-house association. About one hundred private sellers come to offer bric-à-brac, clothes, toys and second-hand objects. A family morning typical of a lively neighbourhood, a few minutes from the UNESCO-listed episcopal city. Neighbourhood atmosphere, pleasure of the stroll — a hunting format you no longer find everywhere in major cities.

Parisot Liberation Fête yard sale (Tarn-et-Garonne)

Sunday May 24, the Parisot festivities committee runs its annual lakeside yard sale as part of the Liberation Fête. Some fifty exhibitors set up from 7.30 am with clothes, bric-à-brac, toys, crockery and flea-market goods in an exceptional natural site. Bar, catering and festive atmosphere punctuate this spring Sunday in the heart of Quercy. Human-scale format, ideal to combine hunting and swimming.

For more regional weekend picks, head to our national agenda. Enjoy the Pentecost long weekend and happy hunting.