Vide-grenier de Bournois

The Bournois Car Boot Sale, an Authentic Village Festival in the Doubs

Bournois is a very small village in the Doubs, nestled in the Ognon valley at an altitude of about 413 meters, with only 174 inhabitants. Despite its modest size, this rural village in Franche-Comté is one of those communities that proudly maintain an active community and event life, notably through the organization of an annual car boot sale on September 21st. In this village setting, the event takes on an almost festive dimension, transforming the village for a day into a meeting and exchange place for the entire region.

The Bournois car boot sale runs from 8 am to 6 pm, with exhibitors able to set up from 6 am. The very affordable registration fee—2 euros per linear meter—allows many individuals from neighboring villages to participate and sell their items without excessive costs. Thus, the entire rural community mobilizes for this event: residents of Bournois and surrounding villages clear out their attics, cellars, and sheds to offer visitors an authentic selection of items from the Franche-Comté region.

An Unusually Festive and Friendly Dimension

What distinguishes the Bournois car boot sale from similar events in larger towns is its resolutely festive and family-friendly dimension. The catering by reservation—including bacon and eggs, sandwiches, crepes, and drinks—constitutes a genuine, elaborate catering service for a village of this size, demonstrating the organizers' commitment. This special catering, which must be booked in advance, ensures exhibitors have a comfortable day without having to leave their stalls.

The children's games and the prize draw (tombola) add a playful and family dimension to this event, turning it into a true village festival. Families can thus spend a whole day in Bournois, combining browsing for adults and games for children, in a warm and relaxed atmosphere reminiscent of village festivals of yesteryear.

Bournois, a Village to Discover in the Doubs

Located in the Reverotte valley, a tributary of the Dessoubre, Bournois belongs to this network of small rural villages in the Doubs that preserve their identity and social life despite the challenges of rurality. Its natural environment—mixed forests, meadows, and rivers—makes it a pleasant outdoor destination. The September car boot sale is the ideal opportunity for visitors to discover this charming village and its surroundings, bathed in the beautiful early autumn light over the hills of Franche-Comté.