Vide-grenier Carmes en Fête — Orléans

Carmes en Fête, the May 1st village festival in Orléans

Every May 1st, the historic Carmes neighborhood in Orléans hosts its village festival with Carmes en Fête, an event conceived and organized by the association Stations Carmes. Born from the desire of the neighborhood's residents and shopkeepers to create a festive and popular event for Labor Day, this gathering has quickly become a must-see on the Orléans calendar.

The Rue des Carmes entirely pedestrianized for the festival

For the occasion, the Rue des Carmes is entirely pedestrianized from 8 AM to 5:30 PM, from Place de Gaulle to Place de la Croix-Morin. This closure to traffic radically transforms the neighborhood's shopping street into a large festive avenue where car boot sale stalls, entertainment, and expanded terraces of local businesses happily coexist.

Car boot sale, guinguette, workshops, and entertainment

The Carmes en Fête program is deliberately eclectic to appeal to the widest audience. Around 90 car boot sale vendors set up in the street, offering clothing, books, records, decorative items, and various finds. A guinguette with music and dancing takes place at one end of the street, while creative workshops (drawing, painting, pottery) welcome young and old. Local businesses join the celebration by offering special entertainment, tastings, and festive terraces.

A neighborhood festival with a popular and friendly spirit

What makes Carmes en Fête charming is its resolutely popular and inclusive atmosphere. Here, people don't just sell and buy: they meet up with neighbors, discover the neighborhood's shops, dance, and create. The association Stations Carmes has succeeded in creating an event that unites the residents of the Carmes neighborhood around values of conviviality and sharing.

Practical Information

Carmes en Fête takes place every May 1st, from 8 AM to 5:30 PM, on Rue des Carmes (between Place de Gaulle and Place de la Croix-Morin), 45000 Orléans. The car boot sale hosts about 90 vendors. Completely free entry. Accessible by tram (TAO network, Cathédrale or République stop) or on foot from the city center.