From the Marais Poitevin to the Pays d'Ancenis, eleven hunting grounds for the Ascension long weekend: 700 stalls at Montigné-le-Brillant, medieval castle at Commequiers, weekly Nantes market.
Between the Loire and the Atlantic, the Mauges bocage and the Marais Poitevin, Pays de la Loire approaches the Ascension long weekend with a particularly dense flea market calendar. Four departments are in action: Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne and Vendée. Our pick of the week: the Largest Yard Sale of Mayenne at Montigné-le-Brillant, lining up nearly 700 exhibitors over several kilometres and drawing bargain hunters from across western France. And for those who like to hunt in heritage settings, two events stand out: the grand yard sale at the medieval castle of Commequiers in Vendée and the Saint-Ellier-du-Maine Fair in Mayenne, famous for its grilled ham on the bone. Plenty of choice for all profiles of bargain hunters.
Largest Yard Sale of Mayenne at Montigné-le-Brillant: 700 exhibitors over several kilometres
Sunday May 17, the ASLM (Sports and Leisure Association of Montigné) hosts the Largest Yard Sale of Mayenne in the village of Montigné-le-Brillant, ten minutes southwest of Laval. Nearly 700 exhibitors spread over several kilometres along the streets and lanes of the village, making this one of the most impressive events in western France. Private sellers, occasional dealers, professionals: you find absolutely everything, from rural Mayenne furniture to vintage toys, crockery, old tools and curiosities. Bargain hunters come from Maine-et-Loire, Ille-et-Vilaine, Sarthe and beyond. Free entry, catering by local associations, plan for comfortable shoes and patience for parking: this is the major event of the weekend in the region.
Saint-Ellier-du-Maine Fair: yard sale and grilled ham on the bone (Mayenne)
Sunday May 17, the Saint-Ellier-du-Maine Fair combines yard sale and rural Mayenne tradition in this village in the northwest of the department, on the borders of Brittany and Normandy. Two hundred and forty exhibitors mix private sellers and professionals, alongside the unmissable grilled ham on the bone that has built the reputation of this event for decades. The archetypal country fair: family atmosphere, rural entertainment, generous bar and serious bargain hunters. The pick if you want to combine flea market hunting and Mayenne culinary culture in an authentic setting.
Évron Bric-à-Brac Sale: 300 exhibitors at the foot of the basilica (Mayenne)
Sunday May 17, the town of Évron hosts its Bric-à-Brac Sale, bringing together around 300 exhibitors in this northern Mayenne town, a stone's throw from the famous Notre-Dame de l'Épine basilica. Held twice a year (May and July), it is a regular rendez-vous for the department's bargain hunters. The town centre welcomes private sellers and dealers for a varied day: furniture, crockery, books, antique toys, clothes, second-hand appliances. Free entry, relaxed atmosphere, easy parking on the outskirts. A good option if you want to hunt without the crowds of Montigné-le-Brillant.
Place Viarme Flea Market in Nantes: weekly hunting ground for Nantes locals (Loire-Atlantique)
Saturday May 16, the Place Viarme Flea Market holds its weekly market from 8 am to 1 pm, as every Saturday morning. Place Viarme, in the Hauts-Pavés-Saint-Félix neighbourhood, this open-air market is one of the oldest in the region and welcomes hand-picked professional antique dealers and brocanteurs. Antique furniture, silverware, prints, ceramics, books, quality knick-knacks: the selection clearly stands out from the offer of generalist yard sales. Ideal to start the Ascension long weekend with a hunting session in the heart of Nantes, walking distance from the Jardin des Plantes and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. Regular crowd, serious transactions, urban atmosphere.
ASB Handball Yard Sale in Rezé: 500 pitches at the Leclerc Océane car park (Loire-Atlantique)
Sunday May 17, ASB Rezé Handball hosts its large yard sale at the Leclerc Océane car park in Rezé, in the southern outskirts of Nantes. With 500 available pitches, this is one of the largest in the Nantes area on the weekend. Pitches between €15 and €20 depending on size, mostly private sellers: you find everything, from garden furniture to crockery, toys to vintage clothes, second-hand appliances and knick-knacks. The supermarket car park format guarantees easy parking for visitors, no small advantage on a long weekend Sunday. Bar and catering by the club, an easy day out with the kids.
Compagnie d'Arc Yard Sale in Guérande: hunting at the foot of the medieval ramparts (Loire-Atlantique)
Saturday May 16, the Compagnie d'Arc of Guérande hosts its yard sale at the Coulée Verte, the green setting that borders the medieval ramparts of the Guérande citadel. Pitches at €12 for 4x3 metres, private sellers and associations, family atmosphere typical of the peninsula. Proceeds support the archery sports activities. One of the most beautiful hunting backdrops in the department: at break time, climb up onto the ramparts or stop in the listed old town. To combine with a day on the Côte d'Amour or in the salt marshes.
Ani-Ver-Ser Yard Sale in Verrières-en-Anjou: 200 exhibitors in the castle park (Maine-et-Loire)
Sunday May 17, the Ani-Ver-Ser Yard Sale takes over the castle park of Verrières-en-Anjou, about ten kilometres northeast of Angers. Two hundred exhibitors set up in this exceptional landscape setting, one of the most beautiful parks of Anjou hunting. Private sellers and dealers offer furniture, crockery, antique toys, vinyl records, books, clothes and knick-knacks. The verdant setting makes all the difference compared to a car park yard sale: you stroll between the trees, sit on the lawns, turn hunting into a family outing. Free entry, on-site catering and bar, fifteen minutes from Loire Authion or Beaufort-en-Anjou.
APEL Saint-Vincent Yard Sale in Distré: 200 exhibitors in the Saumur area (Maine-et-Loire)
Sunday May 17, APEL Saint-Vincent hosts its annual yard sale in Distré, on the doorstep of Saumur. Two hundred exhibitors make it one of the popular rendez-vous of the Saumur area, with proceeds supporting the educational projects of local Catholic schools. Well-rehearsed associative event, you find the usual range of family yard sales: clothes, toys, books, crockery, small furniture, games and knick-knacks. Easy to combine with a visit to the Castle of Saumur, the Cadre Noir cavalry school or a Saumur-Champigny wine cellar to turn the day into a proper Ascension long weekend.
Grand Yard Sale at Commequiers Castle: hunting in medieval ruins (Vendée)
Sunday May 17, the association Les Amis du Vieux Château hosts the grand yard sale at Commequiers castle, in the exceptional setting of the medieval ruins of the 15th-century stronghold. This historic site is one of the most remarkable in Vendée, with its corner towers, moats and fortified enclosure. Sellers display their treasures among the ruins, creating an unprecedented hunting atmosphere — far from a supermarket car park. On-site bar and catering, varied exhibitors (private and dealers), free entry. Probably the most spectacular setting in the whole selection. A must if you are near Saint-Jean-de-Monts or Challans.
Vrai Vide-Grenier of Fontenay-le-Comte: 100 exhibitors at the sports plain (Vendée)
Sunday May 17, the Vrai Vide-Grenier of Fontenay-le-Comte takes place at the Plaine des Sports André Forens, in the southern Vendée sub-prefecture classed Ville d'Art et d'Histoire. About one hundred private exhibitors are expected for this spring rendez-vous, with a strict private-sellers-only format that guarantees true yard sale (no disguised semi-pros). Family atmosphere, on-site catering, free entry for bargain hunters. To combine with a walk in the Renaissance centre of Fontenay-le-Comte or a punt boat ride in the nearby Marais Poitevin. One of the good spots in the department for those looking for individual prices and real attic finds.
Foussais-Payré Yard Sale: hunting in one of the prettiest villages of southern Vendée
Sunday May 17, the Foussais-Payré yard sale takes over the centre of one of the prettiest villages of southern Vendée. Known for its Romanesque church Saint-Hilaire (12th-century carved façade listed as a Historic Monument) and its white stone houses typical of the Fontenay area, Foussais-Payré offers an exceptional heritage setting for this spring event. Village atmosphere, local sellers, not the largest yard sale of the weekend but one of the most charming. Ideal to combine with a visit to the church and a gourmet stop in a village café. Ten minutes from Fontenay-le-Comte via the D938.
Also worth a look this weekend in Pays de la Loire
For more regional weekend picks, head to our national agenda. Enjoy the Ascension long weekend and happy hunting.
