Vide-Grenier de Noves

The Vide-Grenier de Noves: Treasure Hunting in the Land of Laure and Petrarch

Each year, the village of Noves hosts its car boot sale, a popular event that brings together the local community and passing treasure hunters in one of the most beautiful villages in the Durance valley. Located in the heart of the town, this friendly event allows individuals to clear out their cellars and attics while visitors find great bargains at low prices.

Noves, a Provençal Jewel between Avignon and the Alpilles

Located about fifteen kilometers southeast of Avignon, Noves is a Provençal village of six thousand inhabitants whose history dates back to antiquity. As early as the 6th century BC, the Cavares Celts settled on the Puech hill, a strategic point overlooking the plain. The village preserves a remarkable medieval heritage: the 12th-14th century ramparts with their monumental gates — the Porte Aurose, the Porte d'Agel, the Porte de la Courrège, and the Porte des Eaux — bear witness to the city's strategic importance in the Middle Ages.

Laure de Noves and Petrarch: A Universal Love Story

Noves is above all famous for being the birthplace of Laure de Noves (1308-1348), the muse of the Italian poet Petrarch. On April 6, 1327, during a morning mass in the church of Sainte-Claire in Avignon, Petrarch saw Laure and fell madly in love with her. This courtly love, never reciprocated, inspired the poet to write the 366 poems of the Canzoniere, a foundational masterpiece of European poetry. Laure married Hugues de Sade in Noves and died of the plague in 1348. The Place Belle Laure, lined with 17th-century private mansions, perpetuates her memory in the heart of the village.

An Exceptional Romanesque and Medieval Heritage

The Saint-Baudile church, a listed Historic Monument, is a jewel of Provençal Romanesque art. Built by the bishops of Avignon in the 12th century on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple, it features a semi-circular apse, a transept topped by a dome supporting the bell tower, and a nave with three bays vaulted in a broken barrel vault. The Notre-Dame-de-Pitié chapel, built in 1630 on the Puech hill and enlarged in 1722 following a vow during the plague, overlooks the village. The belfry of the Porte de l'Horloge, formerly the Porte des Moulins and raised in the 17th century, marks the historic center.

Various Finds for All Treasure Hunters

The stalls at the Noves car boot sale offer a wide variety of items typical of Provençal outdoor markets: dishes and pottery, books and comics, clothing and accessories, toys and games, tools and small furniture, trinkets and decorative objects. The warm and relaxed atmosphere of the village, complemented by refreshments and light catering, invites you to stroll among the stalls under the Provençal sun.

Practical Information for Visitors

Noves is easily accessible from Avignon (15 km), Cavaillon (12 km), and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (15 km). The Rougadou forest massif, at the gates of the village, offers beautiful walks with a panorama of the Durance valley. Visitors can extend their day by discovering Noves' heritage: Place Lagnel with its 1928 fountain, the medieval streets, and the private mansions of Place Belle Laure. Entry to the car boot sale is free for visitors. It is advisable to arrive early in the morning to take advantage of the best deals.