Under Amiens Cathedral or in the Vimeu: where to hunt this July 18-19

This July 18-19 weekend, the flea-market calendar thins out across Hauts-de-France: several of the region's monthly dates, the Touquet flea market, the champagne-capsule fair in Château-Thierry, the late-evening rederies of Fort-Mahon-Plage, fall on other dates this month, leaving four clearly identified sell-offs, from Amiens' Jardin Dufau to the Doullens area.

My pick of the week goes to the Amiens Flea Market, which sets up its stalls at the foot of Amiens Cathedral, a backdrop few regional markets can claim. In Martainneville, it is the sheer number that stands out: more than 100 sellers expected for a village flea market that runs all day. From there, head to the mining basin in Meurchin, then to the Doullens area and the Bernaville rederie, for a hunting weekend that is small in scale but never short on stalls.

Amiens Flea Market, a professional market at the foot of the cathedral (Somme)

Saturday July 18, the Amiens Flea Market sets up at the Jardin Dufau, in an exceptional setting at the foot of Amiens Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Run by Amiens Métropole, this monthly date gathers around twenty specialist sellers from 8am to 5pm.

The format is compact, but the backdrop makes all the difference: few markets in Hauts-de-France can rely on such a Gothic setting. The twenty or so professionals on hand offer antique furniture, art objects and collectors' pieces, in a sharper spirit than a family car boot sale. It is the date to favour for the sought-after piece rather than sheer volume, with a stroll through Amiens' historic centre and its nearby floating gardens as a bonus. An outing that combines hunting with heritage.

Martainneville Annual Flea Market, over 100 sellers in the Vimeu (Somme)

Saturday July 18 from 7am, the Martainneville Annual Flea Market takes over rue du 11 Novembre. More than 100 sellers are expected for this major hunting date of the Somme's Vimeu area, free for visitors, with a refreshment stand and food service from 8am to 6pm.

It is the biggest sell-off of the weekend in Hauts-de-France by number of sellers, and the kind of village flea market that runs a full day without flagging. You will find the classic family bric-a-brac alongside rarer pieces, in a convivial atmosphere kept alive by the on-site refreshments and food. A fine occasion to spend the whole day in this well-preserved Picardy village, between morning hunting and lunch on site.

Meurchin Flea Market, hunting in the mining basin between Lens and La Bassée (Pas-de-Calais)

Saturday July 18, the Meurchin Flea Market livens up the town-centre streets of this town in the mining basin, between Lens and La Bassée. This summer event offers a wide choice of flea-market items, antiques and second-hand goods.

The street format, with no set theme, suits anyone who likes to wander without a fixed route: you move from a stall of crockery to a lot of old tools along the pavements. Meurchin shares the mining history of the Lens basin, an area where neighbourhood flea markets traditionally punctuate the summer. A quiet outing for a July Saturday, to combine with a stop in the neighbouring towns of the mining basin.

Bernaville Rederie, hunting in the Doullens area (Somme)

Sunday July 19, the Bernaville Rederie is held in this central town of the Doullens area, a former canton seat. The village setting offers a central meeting point for hunters from across the Doullens district.

The Picardy rederie remains the archetypal Sunday format in the Somme, and Bernaville gives a market-town-scale version of it: enough sellers to hunt seriously, without the scale of the big urban gatherings. It is the option to pick for closing the weekend gently, before heading back through the Doullens area or on towards Amiens. A sincere Sunday hunt, far from the bustle of the coast.

Four dates, from the Jardin Dufau to the Doullens area, for a hunting weekend that is compact but rewarding in Hauts-de-France. For more regional picks, head to our national agenda. Happy hunting.