Vide-Grenier d'Éguilles

The Vide-Grenier d'Éguilles: treasure hunting in a perched village facing Montagne Sainte-Victoire

Each year, the streets of the village of Éguilles host a lively car boot sale that brings together between 100 and 200 private exhibitors in an exceptional Provençal setting. From 8 am, bargain hunters and families flock to rue du Grand Logis and the adjacent alleys in search of good deals among a wide selection of second-hand items: clothing, tableware, toys, books, small furniture, trinkets, and vintage objects. This popular event takes place in a warm atmosphere, with a refreshment stand offered by the organizers, all in a setting of golden stone facades and breathtaking Provençal panoramas.

Éguilles, a perched village at the gates of Aix-en-Provence

Éguilles is an authentic Provençal perched village of about 8,000 inhabitants, perched at an altitude of 300 meters on a hill about ten kilometers west of Aix-en-Provence. From its viewpoint, the village reveals an exceptional panorama encompassing the mythical Montagne Sainte-Victoire, so dear to Cézanne, the Étoile mountain range, and the shimmering Étang de Berre in the distance. The narrow streets of the old village, lined with carefully restored stone houses, wind between old washhouses, vaulted passageways, and picturesque staircases that have retained all their Provençal charm.

The Château d'Éguilles and the Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde

The heart of the village is dominated by the Château d'Éguilles, a majestic 17th-century building built on the remains of a medieval fortress. Listed as a historic monument, it now houses the town hall and gives the village its seigneurial air. Its cut stone facade, flanked by corner towers, bears witness to Provençal classical architecture. Nearby, the Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde and the Bastide Sainte-Catherine complete a remarkable heritage ensemble. The parish church, with its slender bell tower visible from afar, has set the rhythm of village life for centuries.

The Jardin d'Éguilles: an oasis of contemporary art

Éguilles is home to a unique artistic treasure in Provence: the Jardin d'Éguilles, an artist's garden created by the sculptor Max Sauze and open to the public since 1989. This Mediterranean garden received the "Jardin remarquable" label awarded by the Ministry of Culture and Communication when this distinction was created in 2005, recognizing the exceptional quality of this space where contemporary sculptures dialogue with Mediterranean vegetation in an enchanting setting. Max Sauze's metal works, internationally known for their play of light and transparency, blend harmoniously with the surrounding garrigue with striking elegance.

Finds for all tastes

As in all car boot sales in Provence, the stands at the Éguilles 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

Between vineyards and garrigue

Éguilles is surrounded by vineyards and garrigue hills scented with thyme, rosemary, and lavender. Located between Aix-en-Provence and Salon-de-Provence, the village is an ideal starting point for exploring the Pays d'Aix and its riches: the courtyards and fountains of Aix-en-Provence, the Bibémus quarries where Cézanne set up his easel, the Valensole plateau and its lavender fields. The weekly Provençal market in Éguilles extends the treasure-hunting spirit with its colorful stalls of local produce—olive oil, goat cheese, garrigue honey, and sun-drenched fruits.