Chartres en Poupées

Chartres en Poupées, the antique doll exhibition

Every first weekend of December, Chartres transforms into the French capital of antique dolls. The Chartres en Poupées exhibition brings together about fifty exhibitors from all over Europe to present and sell collectible dolls, antique dolls, plush toys, accessories, and doll clothes in a warm and magical atmosphere. In 2026, the event will be held on December 5th and 6th.

A reference exhibition for collectors

Over the years, Chartres en Poupées has established itself as an essential event for collectors of antique dolls and fans of vintage toys. With its fifty international exhibitors from Germany, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and France, the exhibition offers a selection of richness and quality rarely matched in France. Bisque dolls, celluloid dolls, composition dolls, hard plastic dolls from the 1950s-60s, branded dolls (Jumeau, Bru, Steiner, Simon & Halbig, Armand Marseille...): all eras and styles are represented.

A weekend for all enthusiasts

Chartres en Poupées is not just for seasoned collectors. The exhibition also welcomes curious enthusiasts, nostalgic visitors, hunters of original gifts, and anyone wishing to discover this fascinating world of antique dolls. VIP entry on Saturday evening allows the most passionate visitors to enjoy privileged early access, while Sunday is accessible at a more affordable price. Discovering the colorful stands, filled with porcelain faces and toys of yesteryear, is an extraordinary visual and emotional experience.

Chartres, city of art and collecting

It is no coincidence that this exhibition is held in Chartres. The city is rich in places dedicated to arts and creation, from its majestic Gothic cathedral to the Maison Picassiette, a masterpiece of outsider art. Art galleries, auction houses, and antique dealers in Chartres complement a cultural fabric conducive to the flourishing of collecting. Chartres en Poupées naturally fits into this environment, offering collectors the opportunity to meet other enthusiasts and visit a city steeped in history.

An auction in parallel

Alongside the Chartres en Poupées exhibition, the Galerie de Chartres (auction house) traditionally organizes a sale of collectible dolls the day before or during the same weekend. This auction, dedicated to antique dolls and toys, also attracts collectors and dealers from all over Europe, reinforcing Chartres' status as a center of excellence for collectible dolls in France.