Car boot sale of La Chaise

The Car boot sale of La Chaise, a May 1st tradition

May 1st, Labour Day and a national holiday, is traditionally one of the best days for car boot sales in France. In the hamlet of La Chaise, part of the commune of Trannes (Aube, 10500), this tradition is well-established. Every year, the residents organize a car boot sale that brings together local participants and visitors attracted by the opportunity to hunt for bargains while enjoying the first public holiday of May.

A hamlet in the Pays d'Othe

La Chaise is a discreet hamlet in the Pays d'Othe, a forest and rural area in the south of the Aube. Nestled in a landscape of meadows and forest edges, it offers the ideal setting for an outdoor car boot sale. Residents of the hamlet and surrounding villages take advantage of May 1st to clear out their cellars, attics, and storage rooms, offering items accumulated over the years: toys, clothes, crockery, books, tools, furniture, and various knick-knacks.

The spirit of a village car boot sale

The La Chaise car boot sale is above all about neighbourliness and conviviality. Unlike large professional markets, it mainly brings together individuals who set up tables or trestles in front of their homes or in the central square. The atmosphere is relaxed, prices are affordable, and there are plenty of exchanges. Children often participate by selling their old toys, books, or video games. Adults take the opportunity to find bargains on decorative items, vintage clothing, or unusual pieces.

A festive day in the open air

May 1st in La Chaise is a real festive day: the car boot sale is often accompanied by a refreshment stand and a food area run by volunteers. Families gather, neighbours chat, and children play between the stalls. The surrounding nature of the Pays d'Othe, with its forests and meadows in full spring bloom, contributes to the festive and serene atmosphere of the day. Some visitors combine the car boot sale with a walk on the forest trails in the region.

The May 1st tradition in Aube

In the Aube, as in all of rural France, May 1st is a major date for car boot sales and flea markets. Many communes organize their markets on this day, taking advantage of the public holiday to maximize attendance. The La Chaise car boot sale is part of this national tradition that combines popular celebration, solidarity, and a circular economy. Items that change hands at these markets find a second life, contributing both to waste reduction and to the transmission of everyday heritage from one generation to another.

Practical information

The La Chaise car boot sale is held every year on May 1st. Free entry. Refreshments and food available on site. Access from Troyes via the D671, about 35-40 km away. Parking on the outskirts of the hamlet.