Montmorillon Grand Fair

An exceptional Montmorillon event

The Grand Fair of Montmorillon is a large-scale event running a full week in October — from 11 to 17 October 2026. This particularity (seven-day format) makes it one of the major events of the Vienne department's brocante and fair calendar. The setting is Montmorillon, a sub-prefecture regionally known as the City of Writing and Book Trades — adding cultural flavour.

A multi-collections fair

The term Grand Fair signals an event beyond simple flea market or ordinary brocante. Fairs by definition gather collectors with more curated, often themed objects: stamps, coins, postcards, toys, miniatures, vinyl, old books, militaria, etc. The multi-day format accommodates a larger and more diverse audience, with different themes by day or space.

What to find

• Philately: old stamps, blocks, philatelic letters
• Numismatics: French and foreign coins, old banknotes
• Old postcards (especially Poitou)
• Old, second-hand, rare books (fitting City of Writing)
• Old papers: period newspapers, magazines, posters
• Militaria: medals, insignia, war objects
• Old toys and miniatures: lead soldiers, cars, figurines
• Comics, vintage magazines, fanzines
• Vinyl, 45s, old radios
• Coins, medals, decorations
• Classic brocante: furniture, knick-knacks, tableware, lamps

Montmorillon, City of Writing

One of Vienne's most remarkable towns. Since 2000 it's labelled City of Books and Book Trades, with around fifteen bookshops, calligraphers, bookbinders, stationers and artisans in the Old Town across the Gartempe. This exceptional cultural identity makes Montmorillon unique in France and draws book lovers year-round. The Grand Fair's location here takes on particular meaning.

Heritage to discover

Beyond the fair: Saint-Martial Abbey (11th century), Notre-Dame Church and its 12th-century frescoes, Octagon (mysterious five-storey Romanesque building), Maison-Dieu, Museum of Writing and Book Trades. Medieval Old Town streets, gastronomy (famous Montmorillon macarons from an 18th-century recipe, tourteau fromager, broyé du Poitou).

Week-long format

Lets visitors choose their moment: avoid weekend crowds, visit over several days for different themes, combine with other Montmorillon discoveries. Each day may have its own atmosphere, sometimes themed (collectors' day, books day, etc.).