Car boot sale of Pont-de-Ruan

Treasure hunting in Balzac's mill village

The car boot sale of Pont-de-Ruan takes place every spring in one of the most photogenic villages in the Indre valley. Pont-de-Ruan (37260), located about ten kilometers southwest of Tours, is famous for its watermills on the Indre, immortalized by Honoré de Balzac in The Lily of the Valley. Private sellers set up their stalls in the village center to offer clothes, books, toys, crockery, trinkets, small furniture, and various items in a family-friendly and rustic atmosphere.

Pont-de-Ruan, literary jewel of the Indre valley

The village of Pont-de-Ruan holds a privileged place in the French literary landscape. Balzac described its mills and the Indre valley as a terrestrial paradise. The village's two mills, one of which is medieval, span the river in the heart of the village and form a remarkable heritage site. The village is surrounded by floodplain meadows, poplar trees, and hillsides planted with vines and orchards, offering an exceptional setting for a stroll.

A car boot sale along the water

The Pont-de-Ruan car boot sale offers a treasure hunting experience by the Indre river. Refreshments are available on site. Admission is free.