Hérolles Monthly Fair at Coulonges

Uninterrupted since 1484, one of France's oldest fairs

The Hérolles Fair in southeastern Vienne is an institution. Running without interruption since 1484 — one of the oldest active monthly fairs in France. At Les Hérolles, an 11-hectare plateau at the crossroads of three former regions (Poitou-Charentes, Centre, Limousin) and three departments (Vienne, Indre, Haute-Vienne), it has gathered farmers, merchants, horse-dealers, brocanteurs and curious visitors for over five centuries.

The 29th, a centuries-old rule

Fair strictly on the 29th each month, unless 29th falls on a Sunday — then postponed to Monday 30th. A very particular calendar, fixed for centuries, part of the charm and identity. For 2026: check each month with the organisation as some months shift.

On the 11-hectare site

• Outdoor brocante and flea market with hundreds of sellers
• Traditional livestock market (sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits)
• Terroir products: cheeses, charcuterie, honey, jams, bread
• Clothing, shoes, household
• Farm and DIY tools (new/used)
• Plants, flowers, garden items
• Bazar, hardware, all kinds of objects
• Peasant catering from morning (soup, grills, mulled wine in winter)

400+ exhibitors, 8,000-18,000 visitors

Seasonal and weather-dependent, the fair welcomes 8,000 to 18,000 visitors monthly — impressive for a rural event. 400+ exhibitors from Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Centre-Val de Loire and neighbours. For Montmorillonnais, Confolentais, Blanc and southern Creuse residents, it's deeply rooted — many have come since childhood.

Exceptional intangible heritage

More than a commercial fair: intangible heritage. Old rural sociability is perpetuated — meetings with neighbours 50 km around, old-style haggling for a goat or tool, political or weather chatter at mulled-wine stands. Officially labelled historic fair, regularly covered by national media.

Three-region crossroads

Coulonges-les-Hérolles sits at the borders of Poitou-Charentes (Vienne), Centre-Val de Loire (Indre) and Limousin (Haute-Vienne). This crossroads position birthed the fair in the Middle Ages as a neutral exchange. Accents and expressions from all three regions still mingle.

A fair to experience at least once

For any brocante, terroir or rural sociology lover, Hérolles is a must. Arrive early (8am), park in nearby fields, walk the aisles, grab coffee-croissant, buy farm cheese, find an old tool and leave by noon with a full boot: the classic successful Hérolles.