Car boot sales of May 1st in Crots

The largest car boot sale in the Hautes-Alpes

Every May 1st, the village of Crots hosts its famous car boot sale, considered the largest in the Hautes-Alpes department. Organized by the AAVC (Association d'Animation de la Vie de Crots), this event transforms the village streets and squares into a huge open-air flea market, attracting treasure hunters from all over the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

Crots, a village on the edge of Lake Serre-Ponçon

Located on the southern shore of Lake Serre-Ponçon, the largest artificial lake in metropolitan France, Crots is a village in the Embrunais region that offers an exceptional natural setting between mountains and water. The Château de Picomtal, the hamlets scattered throughout the valley, and the proximity to the lake make this commune a popular holiday destination. The May 1st car boot sale benefits from this remarkable setting, attracting locals and early season tourists alike.

A tradition rooted in local life

The AAVC unites the village's volunteers around this event, which has become a must-attend spring gathering in the Hautes-Alpes. Volunteers ensure the organization, refreshments, and food. The car boot sale takes over the village streets, creating a lively treasure hunting route featuring furniture, crockery, toys, clothing, books, tools, and collectibles.

What to find at the stalls?

Exhibitors offer a wide range of second-hand items: antique crockery, trinkets, frames and mirrors, books and magazines, toys, clothes, small appliances, tools, sports equipment, vinyl records and CDs, home textiles, and decorative objects. In the Hautes-Alpes, you can also regularly find typical mountain objects: old agricultural tools, cowbells, Savoyard furniture, vintage skis, snowshoes, and hiking equipment. Prices are generally very attractive, making these car boot sales an economical and ecological alternative to buying new.

The Hautes-Alpes, a land of flea markets and car boot sales

The Hautes-Alpes department, the least populated in metropolitan France, compensates for its low density with a particularly dynamic associative life. From March to October, car boot sales and flea markets punctuate the life of Alpine villages, offering as many opportunities to hunt for treasures as to get together with neighbors. The summer season, with the influx of tourists and vacationers, multiplies the opportunities: passing visitors are happy to stop and browse the stalls, sometimes discovering unsuspected Alpine treasures. The exceptional mountain setting of the department adds a unique dimension to these events, with grandiose panoramas and the pure air of the summits.

Practical information

The event is open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission is free for visitors. Refreshments and food are provided on-site by AAVC volunteers. Parking is available on the outskirts of the village.