Vide-Greniers des Rameaux de Chartres

The Palm Sunday Car Boot Sale in Chartres

Every Palm Sunday, Chartres' Place Saint-Pierre hosts its grand annual car boot sale. This spring event brings together about sixty private exhibitors in one of the city's most remarkable settings, in the shadow of the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In 2026, the event is scheduled for Sunday, March 29.

An exceptional setting in the heart of the medieval city

Place Saint-Pierre, nestled in the historic district of Chartres, is a prime location for this Sunday car boot sale. Surrounded by the Church of Saint-Pierre, one of the city's Romanesque jewels, and just a stone's throw from the Gothic cathedral, this paved square offers a unique atmosphere found nowhere else. Shoppers can combine the discovery of hidden treasures from exhibitors with the contemplation of first-rate architectural heritage.

Private exhibitors and all sorts of finds

With its sixty or so private exhibitors, the Vide-Greniers des Rameaux offers an eclectic selection of objects, clothes, books, records, and curiosities of all kinds. Each exhibitor brings their own finds, sourced from Chartres attics, making each stall a surprise to discover. This type of 100% private car boot sale is particularly appreciated by experienced bargain hunters, who know that gems are often found in these family and spontaneous displays.

Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week

Palm Sunday, which opens Holy Week in the Christian tradition, has long been associated with popular spring gatherings. In Chartres, a city deeply marked by its religious history and renowned student pilgrimage, this day holds special significance. The Palm Sunday car boot sale is thus part of a strong symbolic context, bringing the inhabitants together around a friendly event rooted in local traditions.

A family and popular event

The Vide-Greniers des Rameaux de Chartres is an event open to all, free for visitors, and particularly popular with families from the city center and surrounding areas. Its proximity to the cathedral and the shops in the historic center makes it an ideal stroll for Chartres residents and tourists passing through at the beginning of the Easter holidays.