Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq Flea Market

A flea market at the Marais Poitevin gates

Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq: ~1,200 village, Vendée plain, gateway to Marais Poitevin (Regional Natural Park). 5 km from Fontenay-le-Comte (Vendée sub-prefecture). Between cultivated plain and first wet meadows of the marsh. 2026: Sunday 17 May.

Gathers private sellers, locals, Fontenay visitors, plain and marsh visitors. Le Cloucq michelais association (local nickname reference) runs many events.

What to find

• Family clothes
• Toys, games, books
• Baby gear
• Crockery, trinkets, decor
• Small furniture
• Tools, garden gear
• Outdoor, fishing items (Marais Poitevin!)
• Vinyl, DVDs

A transition village

At two landscapes' junction: open cereal plain vs. Marais Poitevin labyrinth of waterways. Local landscape reads the transition. Saint-Michel church, typical farms.

Marais Poitevin

France's 2nd-largest wetland. 'Venise verte' — boat through canals lined with pollarded ash. Maillezais, Damvix, Coulon, Arçais, Le Vanneau-Irleau. Perfect afternoon after the flea.

The Cloucq michelais

Name from local nickname ('Cloucq' relates to a bill / marsh-bird). Runs village activities — festive, sporting, cultural. Flea market = key action.

Spring date

Mid-May ideal: mild weather, Marais tourist season starting. Combine morning flea with afternoon boat ride — perfect south-Vendée weekend.

Tips

Come early. Cash, sturdy bag. Moderate prices. Lunch on site possible. Check for marsh-related items (fishing, navigation).

Around

Fontenay-le-Comte (5 km): magnificent Renaissance town, Terre-Neuve castle (writer Nicolas Rapin), Belliard square. Maillezais (15 km) abbey ruins. L'Hermenault, Benet, Damvix.