Aubazines Car Boot Sale

The Aubazines Car Boot Sale: Bargain Hunting at the Foot of the Cistercian Abbey

Every July, the village of Aubazines hosts its annual car boot sale, transforming the village streets into an open-air flea market in a unique heritage setting. The 12th-century Cistercian abbey, a listed historic monument, dominates the village with its majestic silhouette, while exhibitors set up their stalls between the stone houses and shaded squares.

Exceptional Heritage as a Backdrop

Founded around 1142 by Saint Étienne d'Obazine, the Abbey of Aubazines is a masterpiece of early Cistercian architecture. Its abbey church, its monks' canal—a feat of medieval engineering dug into the cliff face for over a kilometer—and its 13th-century liturgical cabinet, the oldest in France, make this site a must-see. It was in the orphanage adjoining the abbey that young Gabrielle Chanel lived from 1895 to 1900, finding in the purity of Cistercian lines an inspiration that would mark all her work.

A Family-Friendly and Friendly Car Boot Sale

The Aubazines Festival Committee organizes the car boot sale in a relaxed, family atmosphere. Exhibitors offer old tableware, trinkets, clothing, toys, books, small furniture, and everyday items, in a setting that invites leisurely browsing. Refreshments and food are available on-site, allowing visitors to refuel between finds.

Aubazines, Between Heritage and Nature

Located on the heights overlooking the Corrèze and Coiroux rivers, Aubazines benefits from a preserved natural environment with its waterfalls, gorges, and hiking trails. The Lac du Coiroux, a nearby leisure center, complements the relaxation options for a day combining culture, bargain hunting, and nature in Corrèze.