Brocante de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

Located against the backdrop of a stunning 700 years old medieval city, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon hosts probably one of the most picturesque flea markets in Southern France: the Brocante de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

Once a week, as many as 95 professional exhibitors gather along the walls of the Fort St André, to sell a variety of items ranging from antique pottery, ceramics, crystal and glassware, to wine and barrel making tools, small and large pieces of furniture, silver, toys, kitchenware and other collectibles. No wonder why the brocante de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon continuously attracts thousands of flea market enthusiasts who come from as far as Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain and even the US to find the best merchandises for their antiques business!

The brocante de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon operates throughout the year, from Spring to Winter. And even if some November mornings can be chilly when the Mistral blows, the Villeneuve-lès-Avignon flea market continues to attract the most serious antique dealers in Provence and abroad, who flock at the market well before dawn, to snap up the best merchandises.

The flea market of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is characterized by the quality of the exhibited goods, its spirit of conviviality and the relatively fair prices charged by its merchants. Talking about prices, bargaining is a generally accepted practice. However, you shouldn’t expect a huge discount, particularly when it’s still early in the morning. Vendors tend to be more “cooperative” at the end of the flea market day, when they are eager to pack up.

And even if your knowledge of French is limited to a handful of common words, most vendors are very congenial and will do their best to help you understand – even if they don’t master the King’s English.

In addition to its weekly brocante, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon also hosts a bi-annual antique show known as “Brocante Passion”. Twice a year in May and October, the Brocante Passion de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon gathers as many as 85 professional exhibitors along the walls of the Fort St André, who sell a variety of items ranging from antique pottery, ceramics, crystal and glassware, to wine and barrel making tools, small and large pieces of furniture, silver, toys, kitchenware and other collectibles.

Remember that should you make the most of your day at the flea market or not, a trip to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is its own reward. Strolling the city’s cobblestone streets, enjoying the view from the Fort St André, or lunching oysters with a glass of white wine under the chestnut trees, are some of the many highlights Villeneuve-lès-Avignon has to offer.