Car boot sale of the Calandres of Le Monastère

The Calandres Car Boot Sale: Bargain Hunting and Friendliness on the Outskirts of Rodez

Every year in May, the vintage vehicle club Les Calandres du Monastère organizes its car boot sale and garage sale at the multipurpose hall, avenue du Ségala, in Le Monastère (12000). This association, created in 2022, brings together enthusiasts of vintage cars and motorcycles from Rouergue. In addition to their car outings and vintage vehicle exhibitions at the Haras de Rodez, Les Calandres offer this annual bargain hunting event, open to all individuals wishing to clear out their attics and garages.

Le Monastère, a Historic Commune on the Outskirts of Rodez

Le Monastère is a commune bordering Rodez, located on the right bank of the Aveyron. Its name comes from the Benedictine abbey founded in the 9th century by nuns of the Order of Saint Benedict, the first women's convent in Rouergue, placed under the patronage of Saint Saturnin of Toulouse. The abbey reached its peak in the 14th century, housing up to fifty nuns from noble families of the province. The medieval bridge, built in 1339 on the initiative of the Count of Rodez to connect the town to the road to Millau, with its five round arches made of pink sandstone, remains one of the most remarkable witnesses to this rich past.

Today integrated into the Rodez urban area, the commune of Le Monastère retains its village identity and a dynamic associative life, of which Les Calandres are one of the most visible actors.

An Indoor and Outdoor Car Boot Sale

The unique feature of this car boot sale is its dual setup: stands are set up both inside the multipurpose hall and outdoors, along avenue du Ségala. This mixed format allows for comfortable bargain hunting regardless of the weather in May in Aveyron. Private sellers offer the usual variety of items found at car boot sales:

• Tableware and kitchen utensils
• Clothing and accessories for all seasons
• Toys and games for children
• Books, magazines, and vinyl records
• Trinkets and decorative objects
• Small furniture and vintage items
• Tools and garage items, as befits the theme

Refreshments and Pizzas on Site

The Les Calandres association provides on-site catering with refreshments and pizzas, allowing visitors to spend a full day without leaving the premises. This conviviality over drinks and food fully contributes to the warm atmosphere that characterizes the events organized by this club of enthusiasts.

On the Outskirts of the Rodez Urban Area

Located just three kilometers from the city center of Rodez, the Calandres car boot sale benefits from the proximity of the prefecture of Aveyron and its population. Visitors can extend their day with a walk along the banks of the Aveyron, discover the medieval bridge of Le Monastère, or visit Rodez and its famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Southern Gothic architecture, or the Soulages Museum dedicated to the work of the Aveyronnais painter Pierre Soulages.