Trouvailles et Tripou de Sévérac-d'Aveyron

Tripou et Trouvailles au Plô : hunt for treasures and taste in the medieval town of Sévérac

At the foot of the imposing castle of Sévérac, a thousand-year-old fortress overlooking the valley from its rocky outcrop at 817 meters above sea level, the medieval town of Sévérac-le-Château hosts a unique event every spring: Tripou et Trouvailles au Plô. This car boot sale, unlike any other, blends the hunt for antique objects with the tasting of tripou, an emblematic culinary specialty of Aveyron, in the narrow streets and squares of this Petite Cité de Caractère with its half-timbered houses and vaulted passageways.

Tripou: Aveyron's Gastronomic Treasure

Tripou is a traditional dish born in the north of Aveyron, which over the centuries has become the culinary emblem of the Ségala and the entire Rouergue region. Made from veal or lamb maw stuffed with local ham, rind, parsley, and garlic, it requires slow cooking for six to seven hours over very low heat in a broth enriched with vegetables. Once served to farmers before Sunday mass, tripou remains today the essential dish for village festivals and Aveyronnais family meals. Depending on the region, it is known by other names: trénels around Millau, petites in the Espalion area.

An Exceptional Medieval Setting

The medieval town of Sévérac-le-Château offers a remarkable heritage setting for this event. The three main streets — Amaury de Sévérac, Duc d'Arpajon, and Belvezet — radiate around the Place de la Fontaine, lined with medieval residences with centuries-old facades. Visitors can admire the Maison de Jeanne, considered one of the oldest houses in Aveyron with its 15th-century overhangs and half-timbering, the Maison des Consuls with its 17th-century painted ceilings, the Sestayral, an old grain hall with stone measures, as well as the fortified gates of Peyrou and Latazou, remnants of the medieval ramparts.

Finds for All Treasure Hunters

The Sévérac-d'Aveyron car boot sale offers a wide selection of second-hand items and curiosities:

• Antique tableware, earthenware, and glassware from Rouergue and beyond
• Books, vinyl records, and CDs for collectors
• Clothing and accessories for the whole family
• Toys, board games, and children's items
• Bric-a-brac, decorative objects, and curiosities
• Small furniture, tools, and everyday items

After your treasure hunt, a visit to the castle of Sévérac is a must. This former stronghold of the Barons of Sévérac, protected by three concentric fortified enclosures, houses a monumental portal of pre-classical architecture and the remains of medieval chapels. From the top, the panorama encompasses the Grands Causses, the foothills of the Aubrac, and the beginnings of the Gorges du Tarn.

Practical Information for Visitors

The Tripou et Trouvailles au Plô car boot sale takes place in the medieval town of Sévérac-le-Château, in the commune of Sévérac-d'Aveyron (12150), halfway between Rodez and Millau, in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses. Admission is free for visitors. The event combines treasure hunting stalls and on-site catering with tasting of tripou and other Aveyron specialties. Sévérac-d'Aveyron is accessible via the A75 motorway (exit 42) and the Sévérac-le-Château SNCF train station, served by the Béziers-Neussargues line.