Vide-Grenier des Amis du Rocher de Jastres

The Vide-Grenier des Amis du Rocher de Jastres: Twice a Year in the Heart of Aubenas

Twice a year – one in spring, the other in autumn – the association Les Amis du Rocher de Jastres organizes its popular car boot sale at the former Rocher de Jastres campsite, 24 chemin de ville in Aubenas (07200). This event, now a fixture in the calendars of bargain hunters in the Ardèche region, brings together around 75 exhibitors each time – individuals looking to clear out their attics and regular second-hand market vendors – in a shaded and well-equipped setting in the heart of the Aubenas basin.

The site of the former Rocher de Jastres campsite offers a pleasant and spacious area, shaded by trees, ensuring comfort even on warm spring or late summer days. The 75 available pitches at each event allow for a diverse and generous offering, covering all categories of second-hand items: adult and children's clothing and accessories, toys and board games, books and comics, records, tableware and kitchenware, trinkets and decorative objects, tools, furniture, and sports equipment.

The Association Les Amis du Rocher de Jastres

Founded and run by passionate volunteers, the association Les Amis du Rocher de Jastres aims to foster friendly interaction among its members and organize popular events centered around the iconic Rocher de Jastres site in Aubenas. The Rocher de Jastres is a rocky promontory overlooking the town of Aubenas and the Ardèche valley, offering an exceptional panorama of the Aubenas basin and the surrounding hillsides. The association takes its name from this place steeped in history and character, a symbol of the territory it seeks to animate and promote.

Presided over by Patrice Vaillant, the association mobilizes its volunteers for each event to ensure a warm welcome for exhibitors – who can set up from 6 am – and visitors. The pitch fee is 10 euros, which includes the provision of a table and a parasol, as well as a coffee offered by the association. These small touches contribute to the friendly and family-like atmosphere that characterizes this bi-annual car boot sale.

A Well-Equipped Site on the Outskirts of Aubenas

The former Rocher de Jastres campsite, located at 24 chemin de ville, offers all the necessary amenities for a great day of bargain hunting:

• Snack bar and refreshments on-site for meals throughout the day
• Toilets available for exhibitors and visitors
• Parking in the immediate vicinity of the site
• Shaded areas for optimal comfort in all seasons
• Pétanque court to pleasantly extend the day

This range of services makes the Jastres site one of the best-equipped for hosting a car boot sale in southern Ardèche, attracting both regular exhibitors and first-timers unfamiliar with second-hand markets.

Aubenas, Capital of Southern Ardèche

Aubenas is the main town in southern Ardèche, with approximately 12,000 inhabitants. Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Ardèche valley, it is dominated by its 14th-century medieval castle, now the town hall. The town is an important commercial and cultural hub for all of southern Ardèche, served by the N102 connecting Montélimar and Le Puy-en-Velay.

The Aubenas basin, with its surrounding towns and villages (Vals-les-Bains, Labégude, Saint-Privat, Lanas), forms a dense and lively living area. Its proximity to the Gorges de l'Ardèche, the Ardèche plateau, and the Cévennes makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the region. The Vide-Grenier des Amis du Rocher de Jastres is part of this dynamic local life, offering residents and visitors a popular and accessible event twice a year.

Two Annual Editions for Two Seasons

The bi-annual format of the car boot sale – a spring edition (March-May) and an autumn edition (September-November) – allows the association to offer two highlights during the year, suited to the two seasons conducive to outdoor bargain hunting. Spring, with its mild temperatures and renewed sunlight, invites people to bring out items accumulated during the winter. Autumn, with its last fine days before the cold, offers a pleasant setting to clear out attics and garages before winter. Both editions attract a loyal and regular audience, who meet twice a year around the stalls on chemin de ville.