Spring Car Boot Sale — Allègre

The Spring Car Boot Sales of Allègre

Allègre is one of the most remarkable villages in Haute-Loire. Designated a Petite Cité de Caractère, this medieval hamlet is perched at nearly 1,100 meters above sea level on top of an ancient Devès volcano, 25 kilometers northwest of Le Puy-en-Velay and 15 kilometers south of La Chaise-Dieu. Dominating the village, the remains of its medieval fortress—the famous “Potence”—are a striking visual landmark visible for miles around.

An Exceptional Medieval Village

Allègre's heritage is remarkable. The feudal castle, built in the 14th century and featuring 23 towers spread across three fortified areas, is one of the most impressive in the region. The “Potence,” a machicolation line suspended over the void, is an architectural feat restored in the 19th century. The village itself retains its medieval streets, its black volcanic stone houses, its vaulted passageways, and its ornate townhouses, making Allègre a tourist destination in its own right.

Whit Monday Car Boot Sales, a Highlight of the Festival

Whit Monday is a big day of celebration in Allègre. The full program includes a ball, a meal, a cycling race, and fireworks, but it is the car boot sale, held in the morning and afternoon, that animates the village with a special buzz. The Allègre Tourist Office organizes this event professionally, managing registrations, allocating pitches, and communicating about the event.

Avenue de la Gare, Setting for the Car Boot Sale

The car boot sales are held on Avenue de la Gare, one of Allègre's main thoroughfares. This space offers enough room to accommodate exhibitors in good conditions. One of the particularities of this event is the free open spaces for exhibitors, which encourages massive participation from locals and guarantees a wide variety of stalls. You can find the usual variety of rural car boot sales: everyday objects, textiles, toys, books, crockery, tools, and sometimes older items from the attics of this volcanic region.

Active Tourism in Allègre

Allègre attracts many tourists throughout the year, particularly for hiking on the Devès plateau and discovering the medieval heritage. Whit Monday marks a peak in visitor numbers in the village, with festivities drawing visitors from the surrounding areas. The car boot sale benefits from this dynamic and offers additional entertainment for passing tourists, who can browse in the morning before participating in the day's other festivities.

Practical Information

The spring car boot sales are held on Avenue de la Gare, in Allègre (43270), on Whit Monday, from 7 am to 6 pm. Free open spaces. Organized by the Allègre Tourist Office.