Garage sales

Garage sales in the Pays Loudunais are an art form. There’s no need for a treasure map: a cup of coffee in hand, a basket under your arm and you’re off on a stroll full of surprises. Between Poitou, Anjou and Touraine, the narrow streets come alive in the early hours of the morning, the stalls are decked out in colour and laughter abounds. Here, browsing is as easy as breathing: no hurry, curious eyes and a ready smile.

Each stall hides a story. A vinyl record from another era, a slightly kitsch lamp, a book with yellowed pages… The objects tell the story of places and people. Families wander around with the same excitement as on a treasure hunt, children discover toys “as they used to be”, collectors spot the rare pearl and everyone ends up chatting over a waffle or a glass of local juice.

In the Pays Loudunais, garage sales are more than just flea markets : they’re village gatherings where conviviality reigns supreme and good humour is contagious. People take the time to browse, chat and say hello to familiar faces. The decor, with its golden fields and shady squares, does the rest: everything seems softer, more real.

Looking for bargains here is like taking a break from time, a cool Sunday away from the noise and crowds. And when you leave, with your arms a little heavy but your heart light, you can’t help thinking that PL’S is the place to be.