Perville Flea Market

A summer flea market in a village of the Tarn-et-Garonne Quercy

Perched on a hillside of the Pays de Serres, Perville is a tiny village of barely 170 inhabitants in the canton of Valence, about twenty kilometres north-west of Agen. Each summer, its community organises a flea market that has become an eagerly awaited seasonal event, an excuse for a day of village conviviality in a land of orchards, vineyards and the limestone hills of the white Quercy.

An event at the heart of the village

The flea market takes over the streets and small squares of the village itself. This setting close to local life gives the event a deeply rural and warm character: visitors browse between old stones in the shade of plane trees, in the friendly atmosphere of a village fête where everyone knows each other. Perville's modest size guarantees an intimate atmosphere, far from the large urban markets.

What you can find

Made up mostly of private sellers from Perville and the surrounding communes, the flea market offers the great classics of the genre: adult and children's clothing, second-hand toys, books, crockery, knick-knacks, small furniture, vinyl records, garden tools and family bric-a-brac. Regular hunters also bring vintage items, old papers and local curiosities found in Quercy barns.

Atmosphere and tips

The event takes place on Monday 3 August, a French bank holiday chosen to encourage maximum participation. The day starts early — the best deals happen before 9 am — and continues until late afternoon. Use your visit to discover the neighbouring villages of the Pays de Serres: Bourg-de-Visa, Lauzerte (one of France's most beautiful villages), or the historic town of Auvillar nearby. Bring cash, a sturdy bag and a hat — summer in the Quercy can be hot.