Markets and fairs:
Saint Savin - Place de la libération : Market every friday morning. Fair the 1st Friday of every month (morning).
Montmorillon - Centre ville : Market every wednesday morning.
Lussac-Les-Châteaux - Place du 11 novembre 1918 : Market every friday morning. Fair the 1st Thursday of every month.
L’Isle Jourdain - Place d'Armes : Market every saturday. Fair the 20th of every month.
Availles-Limouzine - Place des anciens combattants : Market every thursday. Fair the 17th of every month.
Luchapt - Cour de l'ancienne école : Market every wednesday (from 5 PM to 7 PM).
The Les Hérolles Fair in Coulonges
Located in the municipality of Coulonges, at the crossroads of three Regions, the Fair at Les Hérolles, or "Foire des Zérolles", is both a Poitevine and a Berry fair. Since 1484, i.e. more than 5 centuries ago, and mirroring the seasons, this fair has marked the end of the month for the inhabitants and for the traders who come from far and wide.
This fair offers a mix of pleasure, conviviality, smells and flavours: an enjoyable morning is guaranteed!
It takes place on the 29th of each month and welcomes between 8000 and 18000 people over a single day.
Beware: if the 29th of the month is a Sunday, the fair is postponed to Monday 30th. And for the month of February, if it includes 28 days, the fair takes place on the 28th.
Tips for the Sud-Vienne-Poitou: you can download the "Foire des Hérolles le 29" app available on the App Store and Google Play for details of the exhibitors, restaurants and the latest news.
That little extra something : do not leave without tasting the famous “tête de veau sauce ravigote” (veal head with ravigote sauce) which is a must in all restaurants for miles around on the day of the Fair at Les Hérolles. It's been the tradition for over 30 years!
The Marché au Cadran (Dial Market) in Coulonges
Located in the municipality of Coulonges, at the crossroads of three regions, the “Marché au Cadran des Hérolles” is a must for buyers and breeders of cattle and sheep.
This is an auction where prices are set electronically. The “dial” is now simply the giant screen on which breeders and buyers can simultaneously consult information about current sales. For these sales, cattle and sheep are weighed in front of potential buyers, the price is announced orally and then written down by the head of sales. Thanks to an electronic box known as a "clikker", potential buyers show their willingness to bid in a completely anonymous manner.
Cattle are sold every Monday. The market opens at 10.30 am and the sale starts at 1.30 pm.
The sheep sale takes place every other Thursday. The market opens at 7am and the sale starts at 9.30am.
Tips for the Sud-Vienne-Poitou: if the day of the sale is the same as the day of the Fair at Les Hérolles, you will undoubtedly spend a very full day in Coulonges.
That little extra something : access to all sales, allowing the inexperienced to learn about the system for auctioning live animals.
