Chauvigny Monthly Garage Sale

A monthly brocante in a medieval city

Chauvigny is one of the Vienne's most striking medieval cities. Perched on a rocky spur above the Vienne valley, 25 km east of Poitiers, it has five superposed stone fortresses on one site — unique in France. 7,500 inhabitants. Heritage is a major tourism asset; events regularly animate its cobblestone streets.

2026 monthly calendar

The town-centre brocante runs several times a year. Known 2026 dates:

• Sunday 19 April 2026: garage sale at Halle des sports - Salle du Peuron, 6:30am-5pm, free entry, food on site
• Sunday 26 April 2026: monthly garage sale-brocante
• Sunday 8 March 2026: centre brocante
• Sunday 12 April 2026
• Sunday 10 May 2026
• Sunday 14 June 2026
• Sunday 12 July 2026
• Sunday 9 August 2026
• Sunday 13 September 2026

Thrift and heritage: dual appeal

The magic of Chauvigny's sale: what beats a thrifting morning followed by a visit to the 5 upper-town fortresses? Gouzon keep, Bishops' castle, Harcourt castle, Montléon castle and Châtel tower form an outstanding castle ensemble listed on UNESCO. Cobbled steep alleys lead up from the lower town in a dreamy landscape.

What to find

• Antique and brocante furniture
• Dishware, glassware, porcelain
• Clothing, textile, shoes
• Books, comics, records, CDs
• Toys, games, plush
• Knick-knacks, decor
• Antique jewellery, accessories
• Tools, mixed items

Chauvigny, a city of art and history

Chauvigny is a labelled City of Art and History. Besides its five castles, it has Saint-Pierre collegiate church (11th-13th c.) with remarkable Romanesque capitals, Notre-Dame church, a folk-traditions museum, an industrial archaeology space (former Deshoulières porcelain factory), and a medieval falconry show (Les Géants du Ciel) in the Bishops' castle ruins, drawing tens of thousands each summer.

Visiting tips

Plan in two halves: morning at the garage sale (arrive at opening for the best finds), then upper town and fortresses in the afternoon. Lunch in a centre restaurant (Poitou specialties, terroir cuisine). Allow 2-3h for the upper town, more if you watch Les Géants du Ciel (April-September).