Car boot sale of the Judo Club of Villefranche-de-Rouergue

The Judo Club Car Boot Sale: a solidarity and festive May 1st event

Each year, on May 1st, the Judo Club of Villefranche-de-Rouergue organizes one of the largest car boot sales in northern Aveyron at the Foirail de la Madeleine, a vast covered hall located on avenue du 8 Mai 1945. This traditional event, which has become a must-see in the Villefranche calendar, brings together up to 300 exhibitors, both individuals and professionals, in a sheltered indoor space and adjacent outdoor areas. The profits from the event are entirely dedicated to financing the club, supporting training, competition travel, and the development of young judokas from the bastide.

A triple market: bargains, flowers, and cars

The uniqueness of this car boot sale lies in its triple dimension. The car boot sale itself offers the classic range of bargains: crockery and tableware, books, vinyl records and CDs, clothing and fashion accessories, toys and board games, trinkets and decorative objects, small furniture, and garden tools. The flower market, particularly popular at the beginning of May, ideal for planting, offers vegetable plants, seasonal flowers, shrubs, and floral arrangements from local nursery owners and horticulturists. Finally, a used car market complements this event with a dedicated space for private car sales, a tradition deeply rooted in the Aveyronnais fairground culture.

The Foirail de la Madeleine: a setting for major events

The Foirail de la Madeleine is the main venue for commercial gatherings in Villefranche-de-Rouergue. This imposing covered hall, with a large fenced parking area and adjacent grounds, can host large-scale events regardless of the weather. Pitches are available at very affordable prices: €10 for 5 linear meters outdoors and €12 for 5 meters under the covered foirail. Registration is by postal mail or email, with confirmation upon receipt of payment. Exhibitor setup begins at 6 am.

Villefranche-de-Rouergue: royal bastide and City of Art and History

Founded in 1252 by Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of King Saint Louis, Villefranche-de-Rouergue is one of the most beautiful bastides in southwestern France. Its perfectly preserved grid plan is organized around the majestic Place Notre-Dame, lined with medieval arcades housing cafes and shops. Labeled a City of Art and History, the town has eleven listed historical monuments, including the imposing Collégiale Notre-Dame with its 58-meter bell tower and the Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur, a jewel of flamboyant Gothic architecture. Visiting the Judo Club's car boot sale is also an opportunity to discover this exceptional heritage nestled at the confluence of the Aveyron and Alzou rivers.

Traditional catering and Rouergat conviviality

The Judo Club provides a food and drink service throughout the day. Visitors can enjoy fries, sausages, sandwiches, and crepes on site, as well as the traditional tripe meal served from 8 am, a must-try specialty of Aveyronnais gastronomy. The refreshment stand offers cold and hot drinks to accompany this day of solidarity bargain hunting and discoveries.

Planning your visit

The car boot sale takes place from 7 am to 6 pm at the Foirail de la Madeleine, avenue du 8 Mai 1945, in Villefranche-de-Rouergue. Admission is free for visitors. It is advisable to arrive early in the morning to take advantage of the best deals and the flower market in all its freshness. After bargain hunting, a stroll through the medieval streets of the bastide, a walk under the arcades of Place Notre-Dame, or a visit to the Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur would ideally complete this Villefranche day.