May 1st Flea Market in Houdan

The May 1st flea market: a Houdan tradition

Every May 1st, Houdan celebrates the arrival of spring with its annual flea market, set up on the parking and grounds of the Parc du Cygne. Over the years this event has become one of the highlights of local life: residents from Houdan and the surrounding villages of the Pays Houdanais come to sell, browse, stroll and enjoy an outdoor day that heralds the arrival of the fine season. The event is organised by the Kassoumai 78 association, whose volunteers welcome exhibitors and the public in the best possible conditions.

Houdan, a town of character at the gateway to Yvelines

With its 3,500 inhabitants, Houdan is one of those small towns whose heritage is a source of pride. Its imposing 12th-century keep, its Saint-Jacques church with a remarkable Renaissance facade and its narrow streets lined with old houses give it the look of a postcard. On the borders of Yvelines, Eure-et-Loir and Eure, Houdan occupies a strategic position making it a magnet for a whole rural area. Its weekly market, shops and festive events keep a dynamic local life that appeals to visitors.

A pleasant setting at the Parc du Cygne

The choice of the Parc du Cygne as the venue for the flea market is no coincidence. This green space, near the town centre, offers vast lawns and a large car park allowing many exhibitors to be set up comfortably. The green setting is particularly pleasant in May: leafy trees, the first flowers and spring light give the event a countryside atmosphere that bargain hunters love. Families come with their children, who enjoy the playgrounds nearby while parents browse the stalls.

What you will find

Like any respectable flea market, the one in Houdan offers a great variety of items. The exhibitors, mostly private individuals, display what they have accumulated over the years: clothes and shoes for adults and children, toys, books and comics, crockery, small furniture, decorative items, childcare equipment, bicycles, tools, records and DVDs. The atmosphere is typical of a small-town flea market: laid-back, family-friendly and conducive to conversation and good bargains.

A full day in the Pays Houdanais

The May 1st flea market is an excellent gateway to discover the Pays Houdanais, this rural region halfway between Paris and the Loire valley. After bargain hunting at the Parc du Cygne, visitors can stroll through Houdan's historic centre, climb the medieval keep, have lunch in one of the restaurants in place de la Tour or set off to explore neighbouring villages: Maulette, Gressey, Orvilliers or Boutigny-Prouais, all just a few minutes' drive away. The ideal way to combine bargain hunting and heritage.