La Roche-Rigault Flea Market

Early-spring flea market in the Loudunais

La Roche-Rigault is a commune of about 650 inhabitants in the Loudunais, north Vienne, between Loudun and Moncontour. Every late March or early April, the festival committee runs its traditional flea market — one of the first of the season in north Vienne. 2026: Sunday 29 March 2026, Rue des Chardonnerets.

Season-opening tradition

Held in late March, La Roche-Rigault's flea market opens the spring season in north Vienne. After winter, locals clear attics, cellars, garages; bargain-hunters resume the chine habit. The Rue des Chardonnerets location offers typical open-air friendly chine.

What to find

• Local private sellers with winter bric-a-brac
• Clothes, shoes, accessories
• Toys, games, books, comics
• Crockery, glassware, small appliances
• Light furniture, lamps, frames
• Baby items, sports gear
• Records, CDs, DVDs
• A few semi-pro exhibitors

Festival committee, community engine

Committee is a key village association. Beyond spring flea market: village meals, patron saint feast, Christmas events year-round. Volunteer-run drinks/food: hot and cold, sandwiches, pastries, sometimes fries or toasties. Proceeds fund other local events.

La Roche-Rigault, Loudunais village

Typical rural Loudunais commune with grouped village, church, stone houses. Open cereal-plains landscape of north Vienne, at Thouarsais (Deux-Sèvres) and Saumurois (Maine-et-Loire) borders. Crossroads position gives Loudunais a specific identity — Poitevin, Angevin, Thouarsais at once.

Around La Roche-Rigault

Extend to Moncontour (10 min, picturesque town under its keep), Loudun (15 min, historic sub-prefecture), Thouars (25 min, medieval city). Roche-du-Maine Renaissance château at Prinçay nearby.

Human-scale season opener

Not rivalling urban brocantes: a village event with its own codes — known exhibitors, fair prices, easy conversation. That authenticity makes it an unmissable opener for Loudunais chineurs.