Monthly Car Boot Sale of Saint-Lizier

The Monthly Car Boot Sale of Saint-Lizier: bargain hunting in a millennial episcopal city

Every first Sunday of the month, the episcopal city of Saint-Lizier hosts its monthly car boot sale, organized by the association Relax. This second-hand market is held in one of the most remarkable settings in Ariège: a fortified city classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, which preserves its Gallo-Roman ramparts, its 11th-century Romanesque cathedral, and its medieval bishops' palace.

Saint-Lizier, a classified medieval jewel of Couserans

Saint-Lizier is one of the most remarkable cities in Ariège and the Pyrenees. A former Roman city (Lugdunum Convenarum or Lycteria), it became an important bishopric of Couserans in the early Middle Ages. Its 4th-century Gallo-Roman ramparts, its Saint-Lizier Cathedral (11th-12th century) with its remarkable cloisters and Romanesque frescoes make it a recognized architectural treasure. The Bishops' Palace, a 14th-century Gothic building, now houses the Saint-Lizier psychiatric hospital. The city is listed on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route (GR 65).

The Relax association: organizer of a friendly car boot sale

The association Relax is responsible for organizing the monthly car boot sale of Saint-Lizier, ensuring the reception of exhibitors, the management of pitches, and the smooth running of the event. Its name evokes the relaxed spirit of these bargain hunting mornings in an exceptional heritage setting. Exhibitors — mainly individuals — offer everyday objects, clothing, furniture, books, and trinkets in a friendly atmosphere typical of village car boot sales.

An exceptional car boot sale in an exceptional location

The uniqueness of the Saint-Lizier car boot sale lies in the beauty of its setting: the stalls are set up in the cobbled medieval streets of the episcopal city, between the Gallo-Roman ramparts and the corbelled houses. Visitors can combine their bargain hunting session with the discovery of this exceptional heritage, by visiting the cathedral and its cloisters, or by strolling along the ramparts which offer a splendid panorama of the Salat valley and the first Pyrenean ranges.

Practical information

Saint-Lizier is accessible from Saint-Girons (3 km away) via the D117. The city is perched on a promontory overlooking the confluence of the Salat and the Lez. Free entry for visitors to the car boot sale.