Vide-Grenier de Paradou

A car boot sale in the heart of the Alpilles

Every year, the small village of Paradou hosts its annual car boot sale in the village square and adjacent streets. This popular event brings together the inhabitants of this village of 1,500 souls and bargain hunters from surrounding towns for a day of outdoor flea market, in a typically Provençal family-friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Paradou, the village of fulling mills

The name Paradou alone tells the story of the village. In Provençal, paradou means a fulling mill, a hydraulic machine used by weavers settled along the Arcoule river to beat and soften wool fabrics. These mills, powered by the current, gave the village its identity. In the Middle Ages, the town was called Saint-Martin-de-Castillon, in reference to the fortress that overlooked it.

The Towers of Castillon and the Lords of Baux

Paradou's destiny is intimately linked to that of Les Baux-de-Provence, whose fortress overlooks the Alpilles a few kilometers to the north. The Towers of Castillon, built between the 11th and 13th centuries by the first lords of Paradou — probably Raimond Ier or Hugues II des Baux — bear witness to this medieval era when the village lived in the protective shadow of the powerful Baux family. The fortified enclosure, now almost entirely disappeared, completed the defensive system of the town.

In the heart of the AOP Vallée des Baux-de-Provence

Paradou is located in the heart of the production area for AOP Vallée des Baux-de-Provence olive oil, one of the most prestigious olive-growing terroirs in France. The grossane, salonenque, picholine, aglandau, and verdale varieties are grown in the commune and processed in local mills. The Moulin Cornille, a historic olive oil cooperative in nearby Maussane-les-Alpilles, perpetuates this age-old tradition. At the car boot sale, it is not uncommon to find olive oil pottery, Provençal kitchen utensils, and objects related to olive growing.

La Petite Provence du Paradou

The village is home to one of the largest collections of santons in the world: La Petite Provence du Paradou brings together nearly 500 pieces handmade by the greatest santon makers. This exceptional collection, which recreates scenes of traditional Provençal life, is worth a visit before or after the car boot sale.

Finds for every taste

The stalls at the Paradou car boot sale offer the usual variety of Provençal second-hand markets:

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

Explore the Alpilles from Paradou

Take advantage of your visit to discover the exceptional surroundings of Paradou. Two kilometers away, Maussane-les-Alpilles offers its café terraces and Provençal market. Five kilometers away, the hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, overlooks the valley from its medieval citadel. The Carrières de Lumières, located in former limestone quarries, offer immersive digital art shows in a spectacular underground setting.