Car boot sale in the Village of Lenne

The Car boot sale in the Village of Lenne: bargain hunting in an Aveyron pilgrimage hamlet

Every summer, the hamlet of Lenne, part of the commune of Saint-Martin-de-Lenne, hosts its annual car boot sale. In this small rural village in northern Aveyron, private sellers set up their stalls outdoors, offering second-hand items, clothing, tableware, toys, books, trinkets, and tools at low prices. The atmosphere is that of authentic country car boot sales, where people take the time to browse, chat, and share a moment of village conviviality.

Lenne, a historic hamlet and pilgrimage site

The hamlet of Lenne is inseparable from its religious history. Since the 12th century, the site has been renowned for its pilgrimages, which still attract many visitors today. The village is home to a former convent, now converted into a group guesthouse, as well as a small remarkable church. On the causse overlooking the hamlet, near an ancient Roman road, stands the Capelette de Lenne, a small private oratory dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This modest building houses a naively crafted altarpiece and a painted ex-voto. A Stations of the Cross path connects the hamlet to the chapel, winding up the slopes of the causse through a landscape of dry lawns and stone walls.

Saint-Martin-de-Lenne, a village between Lot and Aubrac

The commune of Saint-Martin-de-Lenne has about 340 inhabitants spread between the village of Saint-Martin and the hamlet of Lenne, one kilometer apart. Perched at an average altitude of 660 meters, between 480 and 840 meters, the commune is part of the Parc naturel régional des Grands Causses. It is located just five kilometers from Saint-Geniez-d'Olt, a small tourist town in the Lot valley, and about fifteen kilometers from the A75 motorway. The area is crossed by the Auronne and Serre streams, in a preserved rural landscape of limestone plateaus and wooded valleys.

Gigi's "gâteaux à la broche", a local pride

Saint-Martin-de-Lenne is also known for Gigi's famous "gâteaux à la broche". Since 2001, Ghislaine Marty has been perpetuating this Aveyron culinary tradition in her workshop located on the road to Saint-Geniez-d'Olt. Her cakes, made according to a recipe inherited from a grandmother from Saint-Saturnin, have gained a reputation that extends far beyond the department's borders, notably thanks to the Marché des Pays de l'Aveyron in Paris. Visitors to the car boot sale can take the opportunity to discover this emblematic gourmet craft of the Aveyron region.

Remarkable religious and architectural heritage

The church of Saint-Martin-de-Lenne, built on the extreme tip of the hill, has had a turbulent history. Formerly known as "the red castle", the original building served as a fortification with its crenellated tower pierced with loopholes. Rebuilt between 1883 and 1885 by Father Bourgade around the restored old bell tower, the church was consecrated by the bishop of Rodez on September 3, 1885. Its spire, destroyed by lightning in 1932, was only rebuilt identically in October 1993. This architectural heritage testifies to the tenacity and attachment of the inhabitants to their village.

Practical information for visitors and exhibitors

The Lenne car boot sale is a free event open to all. It takes place outdoors in the hamlet of Lenne, easily accessible from the D988 connecting Séverac-d'Aveyron to Saint-Geniez-d'Olt. The rural and peaceful setting of the village invites strolling and discovering local heritage. Visitors are invited to come in the morning to take advantage of the best selection among the stalls and the morning coolness on the Aveyron causse.