Car boot sale of the Jardins des Ophéliades

The Vide-grenier des Jardins des Ophéliades in Serres

The association Les Jardins des Ophéliades organizes a car boot sale twice a year on the boulevard de la Digue in Serres, in June and September. This beautiful tree-lined avenue, below the old town, offers an ideal shady setting for a day of treasure hunting in this medieval town in the Buëch region.

Serres, a medieval town in the Buëch valley

Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Buëch valley, Serres is a characterful medieval town, listed among the remarkable villages of the Hautes-Alpes. The narrow streets, vaulted passageways, corbelled houses, and remains of the feudal castle bear witness to a rich historical past. The commune was one of the strongholds of Protestantism in Dauphiné in the 16th century. The Saturday morning market and associative events liven up this small town of less than 1,500 inhabitants.

What to find at the stalls?

Exhibitors offer a wide range of second-hand items: antique tableware, trinkets, frames and mirrors, books and magazines, toys, clothing, small appliances, tools, sports equipment, vinyl records and CDs, home textiles, and decorative objects. In the Hautes-Alpes, you can also regularly find typical mountain objects: old agricultural tools, cowbells, Savoyard furniture, vintage skis, snowshoes, and hiking equipment. Prices are generally very attractive, making these car boot sales an economical and ecological alternative to buying new.

The Hautes-Alpes, a land of flea markets and car boot sales

The department of Hautes-Alpes, the least populated in metropolitan France, compensates for its low density with a particularly dynamic associative life. From March to October, car boot sales and flea markets punctuate the life of the Alpine villages, offering as many opportunities to hunt for bargains as to get together with neighbors. The summer season, with the influx of tourists and holidaymakers, multiplies the opportunities: passing visitors gladly stop to browse the stalls, sometimes discovering unsuspected Alpine treasures. The exceptional mountain setting of the department adds a unique dimension to these events, with grandiose panoramas and the pure air of the summits.

Les Jardins des Ophéliades, an associative player in the Buëch region

The association Les Jardins des Ophéliades contributes to the cultural and social life of the Buëch region. The car boot sale is one of its flagship events, attracting bargain hunters from all over the southern Hautes-Alpes. The accessible rate of 2 euros per linear meter encourages the participation of many exhibitors.