Vide-Grenier de Ventabren

The Vide-Grenier de Ventabren: Treasure Hunting at the Foot of Sainte-Victoire

Each year, the Plateau des Sports in Ventabren hosts a large car boot sale that brings together between 250 and 300 private exhibitors in this open space offering a breathtaking view of the Provençal hills. From 7:30 AM, early bird bargain hunters and families flock to the aisles in search of good deals among a wide selection of second-hand items: clothing, tableware, toys, books, vinyl records, small furniture, trinkets, and garden tools. This popular event takes place in a warm and relaxed atmosphere, with refreshments and a buffet offered by the organizers throughout the day.

Ventabren, a Characterful Perched Village

Ventabren is an authentic Provençal perched village of about 5,600 inhabitants, perched atop a hill about ten kilometers from Aix-en-Provence. Its narrow cobbled streets (calades) – these typical Provençal pebble-paved staircases – wind between carefully restored stone houses and flowery facades. At the highest point of the village stand the ruins of Queen Jeanne's castle, a medieval fortress dating back to the 10th century, from which the panorama embraces Mont Sainte-Victoire, the Étoile mountain range, and the Arc valley. William I, Count of Provence, had the first castle built around 920-940 after driving the Saracens from the region. Queen Joanna of Naples, Countess of Provence, owned the lordship of Ventabren from 1374 to 1381, leaving her name to these impressive remains.

The Roquefavour Aqueduct: A Stone Giant

On the territory of Ventabren stands the Roquefavour aqueduct, the tallest ashlar stone aqueduct in the world. Built between 1841 and 1847 by engineer Jean François Mayor de Montricher to transport water from the Durance to Marseille via the Canal de Marseille, this monumental structure measures 393 meters long and 82.65 meters high, far surpassing the Pont du Gard with its 49 meters. Its three superimposed tiers of arcades span the Arc valley with a majesty that has fascinated visitors for nearly two centuries. Classified as a historical monument, the aqueduct underwent a monumental restoration completed in 2024, restoring it to its original splendor. It mobilized 5,000 workers, including 300 stonemasons, at a cost of 3.8 million francs at the time.

Saint-Denis Church and Religious Heritage

The Saint-Denis Church, built in the 17th century and enlarged in 1877, overlooks the village with its elegant bell tower housing four bells. It derives its name from a relic donated by Queen Jeanne herself: the lower jawbone of Saint Denis. Inside, one can admire a remarkable altarpiece classified as a historical monument, a primitive from the School of Avignon dating from 1484, depicting a Virgin in Majesty, attributed to Simon Masclet, a student of the painter Nicolas Froment. On the outskirts of the village, the Saint-Honorat de Roquefavour hermitage, listed as a historical monument since 2001, is a medieval troglodytic complex comprising a vaulted chapel, outbuildings, and a spring, attached as early as 878 to the Abbey of Lérins before passing to the Abbey of Montmajour.

Panoramas and Hikes

Ventabren is an ideal starting point for hiking trails between the Arc valley and the surrounding wooded hills. The path connecting the village to the Roquefavour aqueduct is one of the most popular: it descends through the garrigue to the bed of the Arc, offering spectacular views of the three tiers of arcades from the riverbank. On the way back, the climb to the castle ruins rewards hikers with a 360-degree panorama of Sainte-Victoire, the Étoile mountain range, and, on a clear day, the Luberon massif. The municipal territory covers 28.5 km², with altitudes ranging from 59 to 286 meters.

Finds for All Tastes

As in all major car boot sales in Provence, the stands at the Ventabren car boot sale offer a wide variety of items:

• Clothing and accessories for the whole family
• Tableware, earthenware, and Provençal ceramics
• Toys, board games, and childcare items
• Books, comics, and vinyl records
• Small furniture, lighting, and decoration
• Trinkets, collectibles, and vintage items
• Garden tools and small appliances

A Village of Art and Letters

Ventabren maintains a vibrant literary and artistic tradition. Since 1961, the village has awarded the Grand Prix Littéraire de Ventabren, a cultural distinction that celebrated its 60th edition in 2023. The Impressionist painter Raymond Normand (1919-2000) settled in the Trou du Loup district, while the maritime novelist Édouard Peisson (1896-1963), winner of the Académie française prize in 1940, also lived there. The restored windmill overlooking the surroundings testifies to the rural architectural heritage of this charming Provençal commune.