Vide-Grenier de Graveson

The Vide-Grenier de Graveson: Treasure Hunting and Village Festival in Provence

Each year, the village of Graveson hosts its car boot sale as part of the Fête Votive, a traditional event that brings together all generations around authentic Provençal festivities. Set up on Place Henri Dunant, the car boot sale brings together individual sellers offering second-hand items, clothing, tableware, toys, books, and trinkets at low prices. From 9 am to 6 pm, treasure hunters and strollers wander between the stalls in the warm atmosphere of this flowery village in the Bouches-du-Rhône region.

A Village of Art Between Montagnette and Alpilles

Graveson is a Provençal town of about 4,000 inhabitants located between Avignon and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, at the foot of the Montagnette massif and at the gates of the Alpilles. The village owes part of its fame to the painter Auguste Chabaud (1882-1955), a Fauvist and Expressionist artist and friend of Matisse, who settled there permanently in 1921 after frequenting Parisian avant-garde circles. The Musée de Région Auguste Chabaud, inaugurated in 1992, displays over 70 works from all periods of the artist's career in a beautiful space located on the Cours National.

The Cours National and its Shaded Alleys

The Cours National is the beating heart of Graveson's life. Lined with century-old plane trees and cooled by the Roubine des Moulins, a canal that Chabaud himself immortalized in a painting in 1912, this shaded avenue is the place for all encounters. It is from this promenade that visitors to the car boot sale can stroll between heritage and treasure hunting, enjoying the welcome shade on sunny early June days.

The Jardin des Quatre Saisons

A short walk from the center, the Jardin des Quatre Saisons offers a free botanical walk, designed as a transition between the village and the Montagnette massif. Divided into four areas, each representing a season, it combines local plants and rarer varieties, with a special focus on viburnums. A children's maze and a circular entrance area that can accommodate performances complete this green oasis. The garden is open daily, from 8 am to 8 pm in summer.

Finds for All Tastes

As in all car boot sales in Provence, the stalls offer a wide variety of items:

• Clothing and accessories for the whole family
• Provençal tableware, earthenware, and ceramics
• Toys and board games
• Books, vinyl records, and collectibles
• Small furniture and tools
• Trinkets and decorative objects

Remarkable Provençal Heritage

Take advantage of your visit to the car boot sale to discover the riches of Graveson: the Grand Portail, a medieval vestige marking the entrance to the village; the Church of the Nativity of Mary, whose Romanesque choir dates back to the 12th century; the Musée des Arômes et des Parfums (Museum of Aromas and Perfumes), which exhibits old distillation equipment and organic essential oils; or the aquatic garden "Aux Fleurs de l'eau". The Fête de la Saint-Éloi in July and the Camargue races in the local arena bear witness to Graveson's deep roots in the most vibrant Provençal traditions.

How to Participate

Registration for the car boot sale is free for individuals and can be done through the Graveson Tourist Office, located at 41 Cours National. A security deposit of 30 euros is required, along with an ID and a signed declaration. Entry is free for visitors. It is advisable to arrive early in the morning to find the best deals.