Dammartin-en-Goële May Day Garage Sale

A May Day event deeply rooted in local tradition

Every May 1st, Labour Day and the day of lucky lily-of-the-valley, Dammartin-en-Goële lives to the rhythm of its garage sale. This tradition, energetically upheld by the Comité des Fêtes de Dammartin-en-Goële, gathers residents and visitors on the Château Esplanade, an emblematic site that takes its name from the former castle of the Counts of Dammartin, now gone. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., vendors set up their stalls in this historic setting, offering a day of bargain hunting in the colors of spring.

Dammartin-en-Goële, a historic city in northern Seine-et-Marne

Located about forty kilometers northeast of Paris, on the edge of the Valois and the Goële, Dammartin-en-Goële is a small city steeped in history. Former capital of the Dammartin county, mentioned as early as the 10th century, it has preserved fine traces of its medieval past, notably the Notre-Dame collegiate church, founded in the 12th century and richly endowed. Perched on a hillside overlooking the Plaine de France, the town also offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, where cereal fields and old villages meet.

A family-friendly, popular event

The May Day garage sale is much more than just a flea market: it is a gathering that opens the spring season of local festivities. Residents, associations, families all meet to sell, buy, chat, and stroll. Visitors find clothes, toys, books, dishware, small furniture, trinkets, old games, vinyl records, and all kinds of household items. Refreshments are often served on site by the Comité des Fêtes, with drinks, crêpes, and sandwiches to last the whole day.

The Comité des Fêtes, driving force of local life

This event perfectly illustrates the essential role that village festival committees play in French community life. Volunteers, organizers, hosts: they keep these popular gatherings alive year after year. In Dammartin-en-Goële, vendor registration opens in March at 1 ruelle du Bûat, and the team can be reached by phone at 01 64 02 56 22 or by email at [email protected]. A well-oiled organization that ensures the success of each edition.

At the gateway to the Valois and Roissy

Dammartin-en-Goële enjoys a favorable location, right next to Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle airport and at the border of Seine-et-Marne, Oise, and Val-d'Oise. Visitors can easily combine their trip with a visit to the Valois, a historic region rich in castles (Ermenonville, Chantilly) and remarkable forests. A little-known but heritage-rich territory.

Practical Information

The Dammartin-en-Goële May Day Garage Sale takes place on the Château Esplanade, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organized by the Comité des Fêtes. Vendor registration starts March 9 at 1 ruelle du Bûat, 77230 Dammartin-en-Goële. Phone: 01 64 02 56 22. Email: [email protected]. Free admission for visitors.