Car boot sale Horse Festival — Vergongheon

The Vergongheon Horse Festival: Flea market and equestrianism

Vergongheon is a commune in Haute-Loire nestled in the Allier valley, between Brioude and Issoire. Every last Sunday of September, this agricultural village in the Limagne d'Allier celebrates its Horse Festival, a popular event that happily combines a car boot sale, equestrian activities, a country show, and regional gastronomy.

A Car Boot Sale from Dawn

Organized by the Comité Saint-Rémy, the event begins at 6 am, when the first exhibitors set up. With around a hundred exhibitors, Vergongheon's second-hand market is one of the most well-stocked in the Brioude district in autumn. Crockery, furniture, clothing, tools, books, and various objects are displayed in the village streets, attracting bargain hunters and curious visitors until 6 pm.

Horse Rides and Country Show

The horse is at the heart of this popular festival. Horse rides are offered to visitors, young and old, allowing them to enjoy a ride in the agricultural setting of the Limagne d'Allier. In the afternoon, a country show immerses the audience in the festive and dancing atmosphere of the genre: line dancing, Western music, and decorations in the colors of the American West. This unique blend—Auvergne traditions and country culture—is characteristic of certain French rural festivals where influences joyfully cross.

Auvergne Gastronomy in the Spotlight

The Vergongheon Horse Festival is also an opportunity to celebrate the regional cuisine of Haute-Loire. From the morning, tripe in the Auvergne style is offered to early risers for a hearty breakfast before the first rides. At noon, it's time for truffade—this emblematic dish made from potatoes and fresh tomme cheese from Auvergne—which brings everyone together for a gourmet feast.

Participation Conditions

Exhibitors wishing to participate in the car boot sale pay a fee of €5 per linear meter. Information and registration are available from the Comité Saint-Rémy and the Vergongheon town hall.