Car boot sale of the Comité des Fêtes of Villefranche-de-Rouergue

The Car Boot Sale of the Festival Committee: an unmissable event in Villefranche-de-Rouergue

Organized by the Comité des Fêtes de Villefranche-de-Rouergue, this car boot sale is among the most popular events in the Aveyron bastide. Several times a year, the Foirail de la Madeleine, a large covered hall located on Avenue du 8 Mai 1945, hosts dozens of private sellers offering their second-hand items. Under the covered structure of the foirail or in the open air on the adjacent spaces, the stalls display a varied offer that attracts bargain hunters from all over the Villefranche basin and northern Aveyron.

The Foirail de la Madeleine: a covered setting for bargain hunting

The Foirail de la Madeleine is an emblematic place in Villefranche-de-Rouergue. This vast covered hall, with a fenced car park and an adjacent ground, hosts the city's major events throughout the year: fairs, markets, shows, and of course the car boot sales organized by the Comité des Fêtes. Its functional architecture offers precious shelter to exhibitors and visitors, whatever the weather conditions. Pitches under the foirail are offered at €12 for 5 meters, while outdoor stands are €10 for 5 meters, very accessible prices that guarantee wide participation.

A car boot sale in the heart of a royal bastide

Villefranche-de-Rouergue is a royal bastide founded in 1252 by Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of Saint Louis, on the banks of the Aveyron. Its perfectly preserved grid plan, organized around the majestic Place Notre-Dame lined with medieval arcades, makes it one of the most beautiful bastides in southwestern France. The town, labeled City of Art and History, has no less than eleven classified historical monuments, including the imposing Collégiale Notre-Dame and its 58-meter bell tower which watches over the city. Coming to hunt for bargains at the Villefranche car boot sale is also an opportunity to discover this exceptional architectural heritage.

Food, conviviality, and good deals

The Comité des Fêtes provides on-site food and drink services, which greatly contribute to the friendly atmosphere of the event. Visitors can take a gourmet break between two finds, while enjoying the warm atmosphere that characterizes the events organized by this very active association in Villefranche life. The stalls offer the classic range of car boot sales:

• Tableware and table arts, old earthenware and glassware
• Books, vinyl records, and CDs for all tastes
• Clothing and accessories for all seasons
• Toys, board games, and children's items
• Trinkets, decorative objects, and souvenirs
• Small furniture and everyday objects
• Tools and garden items

Planning your visit

The car boot sale takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Foirail de la Madeleine, easily accessible from the town center of Villefranche-de-Rouergue. Entry is free for visitors. For exhibitors wishing to book a pitch, it is advisable to contact the Comité des Fêtes by phone. After bargain hunting, a walk through the medieval streets of the bastide, a stroll under the arcades of Place Notre-Dame, or a visit to the Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur will ideally complete this Aveyron day.