Pétanque Canalaise Flea Market - Canals

The Canals bowls club flea market

In the heart of Quercy, the Pétanque Canalaise club keeps a vibrant association life going all year round around the bowling greens of Canals. To fund its activities, tournaments and the upkeep of the boulodrome, the club organises its big spring flea market every year — now a much-anticipated event for local bargain hunters.

Canals, a small commune between Grisolles and Montech along the Garonne side canal, hosts about a hundred private vendors who set up from 6:30 AM on the village square and around the bowling green. The event spreads across the whole bowls area, turned into a chine alley for the day.

A real South-West atmosphere

All the spirit of Tarn-et-Garonne's rural events is here: the bowls players run the refreshment tent, with steak sandwiches, grilled sausages and home-made fries. The smell of the barbecue blends with the chatter of bargain hunters and the distinctive sound of pétanque balls clicking on the adjacent courts — because a traditional game of pétanque is never far away with the Canalais.

What you can find

Family bric-à-brac, clothing, crockery, children's toys, books, vinyl records, small furniture, tools, decorative items: the vast majority of stands are held by private individuals from Canals and nearby villages. A few more experienced enthusiasts also offer small vintage pieces or collections (postcards, comic books, miniatures).

Visit tips

The flea market opens to the public at 8 AM, and the first hours are the busiest. Bring cash and small change, a sturdy bag and a cap if a sunny day is forecast. The village square and adjacent streets offer free parking, and a stroll along the nearby Garonne side canal makes a beautiful break after a morning of bargain hunting.