Spring Festival and Istres Car Boot Sale

The Entressen Spring Festival: Treasure Hunting and Festivities in Crau

Each spring, the district of Entressen, part of the city of Istres in the Bouches-du-Rhône, comes alive for a festive day combining a car boot sale and a celebration of the warmer season. Organized by the Entressen Festival Committee at La Grange, this event brings together local residents, people from Istres, and visitors from neighboring towns for a day of outdoor conviviality.

A Generous Car Boot Sale at the Gates of Crau

The car boot sale takes place outdoors, in front of La Grange, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals offer a wide variety of items on 3m x 2m pitches: crockery and decorative items, clothing and accessories, toys and games, books and records, small furniture, and various trinkets. The relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere of Entressen encourages exchanges and good deals, in a spirit of reuse and sharing.

The Spring Festival: A Festive and Family Program

Alongside the car boot sale, the Spring Festival offers a rich and varied program from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The plant market and floral displays celebrate the return of good weather with seasonal plants. The youngest attendees can enjoy creative workshops and pony rides, while musical entertainment enlivens the day. The refreshment stand and on-site catering allow you to extend the pleasure in a festive and popular atmosphere.

Entressen, a Village of Character Between Crau and Étang de Berre

A former agricultural hamlet in the Crau plain, Entressen developed around its farmhouses and the station on the Avignon-Marseille line in the 19th century. This district of Istres retains its village identity and rural roots, in the heart of an area renowned for Crau hay, the only forage to benefit from protected designation of origin. The Tour de la Reine Jeanne, a medieval vestige from the 14th century, bears witness to the ancient human occupation in this sector between Arles and Martigues.

Istres, a City of History and Aeronautics

Istres, the sub-prefecture of the Bouches-du-Rhône, is a city with a multifaceted identity. Nestled between the Étang de Berre and the Crau, it houses the famous 125 Charles Monier Air Base with its 5,000-meter runway, the longest in Europe. The old town, dominated by the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir church, a listed Historic Monument, overlooks the Étang de l'Olivier. The Castellan oppidum, the archaeological museum, and medieval remains enrich the heritage of a city that has successfully combined Provençal tradition with aeronautical modernity.

Practical Information for Treasure Hunters and Exhibitors

Admission is free for visitors. Individual exhibitors can book a 3m x 2m pitch for a modest fee. Registration takes place during scheduled sessions at La Grange a few weeks before the event. It is advisable to arrive early in the morning to take advantage of the best finds and the morning market atmosphere, before extending the day with the Spring Festival's entertainment.