Car boot sale of Roquefort-la-Bédoule

The Car boot sale of Roquefort-la-Bédoule: treasure hunting in a village between quarries and hills

Every year in June, the village of Roquefort-la-Bédoule hosts its annual car boot sale, a popular event that enlivens the market square and the streets of the center. Individuals set up their stalls to offer passers-by a varied selection of items: tableware, books, clothes, toys, trinkets, and furniture at low prices. The family-friendly and convivial event attracts residents from neighboring towns such as Cassis, Aubagne, Carnoux-en-Provence, and Ceyreste.

A village forged by stone and cement

The history of Roquefort-la-Bédoule is intimately linked to its quarries and its cement industry. From 1837, the discovery of the properties of hydraulic lime in the local subsoil launched an industrial era that transformed the village. The Boyer cement works were established in the hamlet of La Bédoule, attracting workers from Italy, Spain, and Armenia. Between 1890 and 1920, the lime and cement industry reached its peak: about fifty quarrymen worked the famous Cassis stone, this Urgonian limestone that was used to build the Major Cathedral in Marseille. In 1918, the industrial hamlet of La Bédoule surpassed the agricultural village of Roquefort, and the commune took its current name of Roquefort-la-Bédoule.

Remarkable medieval and Provençal heritage

Beyond its industrial past, Roquefort-la-Bédoule boasts rich architectural heritage that provides a unique setting for the car boot sale. The village's origins date back to 59 BC, when a Roman watchtower, Rocca Fortis, was built to monitor Gallic rebellions supported by Massalia. In 1240, the lord of Julhans gathered the population around a chapel on the heights, giving birth to the old medieval village of Roquefort-le-Vieux, now in ruins. The Saint-André-de-Julhans chapel, from the 13th century, is a jewel of Provençal Romanesque art, also known as Notre-Dame-de-Sécheresse, referring to the pilgrimages organized to implore rain.

The modern village developed around the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, built in 1734, and the Château de Roquefort, a Renaissance building that had a turbulent history. The Sainte-Roseline church, in a Roman-Byzantine style inspired by the great churches of Marseille, was built from 1895 and consecrated in 1912. The Château de Julhans, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, completes this remarkable architectural heritage.

Between sea and hills: an exceptional natural setting

Spanning 31.15 km², Roquefort-la-Bédoule reaches an altitude of 567 meters at the summit of Montourier, offering an exceptional panorama of the port of Marseille and the Calanques of Cassis. The village is located at the crossroads of four historical directions: Aubagne, La Ciotat, Cuges-les-Pins, and Cassis, at what is known as the Carrefour des Quatre-Chemins. With its approximately 5,800 inhabitants, the Bédoulens, the commune combines wine tradition under the AOP Côtes de Provence appellation, fruit farming, and mushroom cultivation in the old quarry galleries.

A family treasure hunting day in June

The choice of June for the car boot sale allows visitors to enjoy the long sunny days of Provence and still-temperate warmth. The market square, in the heart of the village, transforms into a large open-air market where everyone can find a bargain. The atmosphere is that of an authentic Provençal village, where conversations between neighbors mingle with negotiations between bargain hunters and sellers. A refreshment and catering area allows you to cool off and extend the pleasure of treasure hunting in a relaxed atmosphere.

Practical information

The car boot sale of Roquefort-la-Bédoule is held in June on the market square, in the center of the village. Entry is free for visitors. Free parking is available nearby. It is recommended to arrive early in the morning to get the best selection among the exhibitors' stalls.