25th Car Boot Sale — Chilhac

The Chilhac Car Boot Sales, a medieval jewel in the Allier gorges

Chilhac is one of the most spectacular villages in Haute-Loire. Classified as a "Petite Cité de Caractère", this medieval town is perched on a basalt cliff overlooking the Allier gorges from about sixty meters up. The famous basalt organs that border the river — these prismatic columns formed during the cooling of volcanic lava — give this site a unique geological majesty in the region. The village retains its 14th-16th century ramparts, its Romanesque church of Saint-Honorat whose choir overlooks the void, and the paleontology museum which retraces the fauna from two million years ago.

A car boot sale in an exceptional setting

It is in this remarkable heritage and landscape setting that the Chilhac Festival Committee organizes its annual car boot sale every third Saturday in May. The event takes over the streets and the village square, particularly around the Place de Lachaud, offering the approximately 70 exhibitors an exceptional treasure hunting setting. Strolling among the stalls while admiring the basalt cliffs and the meanders of the Allier below is an extraordinary experience.

A well-established event in the local calendar

With its 25th edition recently passed, this car boot sale is one of the oldest and most anticipated events in Chilhac's local life. The Festival Committee, a pillar of the village's activities, meticulously prepares this event each year, which is a highlight of the spring season. Families, collectors, and passing tourists gather here to hunt for treasures in a warm atmosphere.

The diversity of stalls on the Place de Lachaud

With around 70 exhibitors, the Chilhac car boot sale offers a wide variety of goods: antique objects and trinkets, tableware and table art, clothing and textiles, toys and games, books and documents, tools and various equipment, small furniture and decorative objects. The concentration of stands around the Place de Lachaud and in the adjacent alleys creates pleasant circulation and allows visitors to see everything easily.

An attractive price for exhibitors

The price offered by the Festival Committee is €3.50 for 3 linear meters, a very affordable rate to set up in this exceptional location. This accessible price encourages participation from individuals from neighboring municipalities and ensures the diversity of the stalls.

Practical Information

The car boot sale is held in the streets and on the village square, 18 Place de Lachaud, 43380 Chilhac, on the third Saturday in May. Exhibitor fee: €3.50 for 3 linear meters. Approximately 70 exhibitors. Organized by the Chilhac Festival Committee. Free entry for visitors.