Located in the heart of southwestern France, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, Toulouse is one of the country's most remarkable sun destinations. Elegantly combining heritage and lifestyle, the "Pink City" is one of France's capitals of culture, cuisine and history. From the banks of the Garonne River to the Canal du Midi, past the Capitole Square and the Cité de l'Espace, Toulouse is a city of contrasts. But it is near the Basilica Saint Aubin that the heart of the city really beats. Especially for lovers of antiques and junk.
If you like to take a morning stroll in a huge bric-a-brac, digging out old rare books, old cotton sheets, crockery, paintings, and other bric-a-brac, then the Brocante Saint Aubin is the place to be. This flea market is one of the most typical and oldest flea markets in Southwest France and one of the must-visit Saturday morning flea markets in Toulouse.
Once a week, up to 70 professional exhibitors gather around the walls of the Saint Aubin Basilica to sell a little bit of everything, but mostly beautiful vintage items from the 1930s to the 1980s and fascinating antiques from the last century. Vintage furniture, paintings, old books, posters from the 1950s, ornaments, old linen, wrought iron, jewelry and other rarities are some of the treasures to be found at the Brocante Saint Aubin or to be taken home.
Three things characterize the Brocante Saint Aubin: the quality of the goods on display, the conviviality of the atmosphere, and the relatively fair prices charged by the dealers (especially when compared to Paris). Speaking of prices, bargaining is a generally accepted practice. It is therefore not surprising to hear that the Brocante Saint Aubin is a popular destination for Toulouse booksellers and stallholders, local antique shop owners and other flea market enthusiasts from abroad.
Historically, the Brocante Saint Aubin was located at the entrance to the Saint-Sernin Basilica, the largest remaining Romanesque building in the world (built 1080 - 1120). However, the major renovation work carried out in the basilica's parvis forced the organizers of the flea market to find another place to welcome visitors. The parvis of the church of Saint-Aubin was chosen. Since Saint-Aubin was known for hosting a well-attended open-air market on Sunday mornings, it was not long before the Saturday flea market was back in full swing. Much to the delight of the seventy merchants who have maintained this tradition for decades.
It is certainly a good idea not to be too agoraphobic, as the crowds at the Brocante Saint Aubin can be a bit overwhelming on some weekends. But all in all, a trip to the Saint Aubin flea market is its own reward. And as with all flea markets in the Southwest of France and Provence, you will quickly be enchanted by the singing and welcoming accent that is a constant reminder of the conviviality and bon vivant of Toulouse.
Tiphaine Renou
9th October 2015 at 03:16Le marché aux puces de Saint Sernin est une véritable institution. On y trouve de tout , pour pas trop cher. Il faut avoir l’oeil bien ouvert pour dénicher parfois de véritables trésors!
Mélodie Toussaint
22nd June 2016 at 07:04Le Marché aux Puces de St Sernin est l’un de mes marchés préférés à Toulouse. D’une part, parce qu’on y allait souvent quand j’étais petite, et d’autre part parce que le marché à une ambiance fantastique qui fleure bon un autre temps!
Autour de la basilique il y a deux rangées de stands, et on y trouve de tout ! Des gadgets comme au téléachat, des bijoux, des trucs à chines, de la déco et même des accessoires. Alors, oui, c’est un marché aux puces, donc c’est assez rare de tomber sur quelque chose qu’on a envie de ramener chez soi, mais c’est vraiment à voir !