Flea market - Car boot sale of Soissons (Esplanade du Mail)

The car boot sale of the Esplanade du Mail: treasure hunting at the foot of Soissons Cathedral

The Esplanade du Mail is one of Soissons' most iconic spaces, bordered by the majestic Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais Cathedral and its gardens. It is in this exceptional setting that a car boot sale and flea market is held each spring, attracting bargain hunters from all over the GrandSoissons agglomeration.

A remarkable heritage setting

Soissons, the former capital of the Merovingian kings, boasts an exceptionally rich historical and architectural heritage. The Esplanade du Mail, a vast tree-lined space in the heart of the city, offers an ideal setting for an outdoor flea market. Exhibitors set up in the shade of the trees, a stone's throw from the 12th-century cathedral and the Abbey of Saint-Jean-des-Vignes, whose spires dominate the city.

Soissonnaise "Réderie"

In the Soissonnais region, people often speak of a "réderie" to refer to flea markets and car boot sales, a Picard term that reflects the regional roots of this tradition. The "réderies" of Soissons regularly attract hundreds of visitors, who come to hunt for furniture, tableware, trinkets, vintage clothing, books, and collector's items.

An event among others

The GrandSoissons agglomeration sees dozens of flea markets and car boot sales spring up each year, organized by municipalities and associations. The flea market on the Esplanade du Mail is part of this rich tradition, helping to make Soissons a prime destination for bargain hunting in the south of the Aisne department.