4th Saint-Sauvant Giant House Clearance - Gratiferia

An original concept: a whole village emptying its houses

Saint-Sauvant, a charming village in south-west Vienne (around 1,600 inhabitants), invented with its Giant House Clearance a truly original event format. The idea: for a day, the whole village (and its hamlets) opens up. Willing residents set up sales at home — in courtyards, barns or garages. Visitors, map in hand (from the village hall), walk, cycle or drive from address to address to hunt for treasures.

This 4th edition takes place Saturday 25 April 2026 and should draw a big crowd. Now well-established, the event has become one of the most original in Pays Mélusin.

The Gratiferia: everything free

At the heart of the day, the village hall hosts the Gratiferia — drop off what you no longer need (items, clean clothing, books, toys), take whatever you like, no money involved. A South American concept rooted in gift, sharing and relational economy. Big success every year, a reminder that an object's value is not always in euros.

The day's activities

• Decorated bike ride: two parades, morning and afternoon (decorated bikes welcome)
• Youth council stand
• Quoits tournaments (traditional Poitou game)
• Leather workshop (demo and beginners' session)
• Bike repair stand
• Table tennis taster
• Food and drinks on site

Saint-Sauvant, a village of character

Saint-Sauvant is listed among Vienne's villages of character. Romanesque Saint-Sylvain church (12th c.), old stone houses, quaint alleys, former castle. Nestled in a little valley, crossed by the Dive du Sud stream, it keeps a typical rural Mélusin vibe. 25 km south-west of Poitiers, between Lusignan and Couhé, on D150 and D4.

An eco-friendly approach

Beyond thrifting, Saint-Sauvant's Giant Clearance carries strong values: waste reduction, reuse, local circulation, cross-generational bonding. An example for villages rethinking their festive traditions. The Gratiferia sharpens the gift-economy dimension.