©Family with two parents and three children walking backwards at the Chatou fair.

The Chatou Fair A key event in the region

Twice a year, the Île des Impressionnistes in Chatou becomes the setting for an event as popular as it is refined: the Foire de Chatou. More than just an antiques market, this fair, which dates back to the 17th century, has over the decades become a symbol of French art de vivre, combining heritage, culture, quality second-hand goods and gourmet delights. It’s a unique place where passionate collectors, decorators, families out for a stroll and the curious come together in search of the rare pearl.

©Two adults and a child looking at vinyl records at the Chatou fair

A timeless event at the gateway to Paris

It’s no coincidence that the Foire de Chatou attracts almost 35,000 visitors every year. It is one of the biggest antiques and second-hand fairs in France, hosting more than 700 exhibitors from all over the country (and sometimes from further afield), carefully selected for the quality of their pieces and their expertise.

At the bend in the aisles, you come across specialist antique dealers who, like guardians of their heritage, proudly unveil their rare pieces. Furniture with the patina of time, signed paintings, collectors’ items, vintage jewellery, antique crockery… Each stand is an invitation to marvel and discover.

The wealth of offerings makes the Foire de Chatou an essential meeting place for decorating professionals, stylists and scenographers. It’s also the ideal place to find a unique piece that will add character to your interior.

Whether you’re an experienced collector, a lover of antiques, or simply curious, you’ll discover a world rich in history: period furniture, Art Deco lighting, old crockery, master paintings, vintage advertising posters, curiosities, old watches, rare books, vintage toys, unusual knick-knacks… Each stand is a window on a living past, an open-air museum where everything is for sale and ready to find a new life in your home.

Testimonials

“Every year, the Foire de Chatou is a highlight that I look forward to. It’s an inexhaustible source of inspiration and great encounters.

Marie, interior designer

“I found several rare pieces for my collection, but above all I received a warm welcome and invaluable advice.

Jean, collector

One fair, a thousand discoveries

Each edition of the Foire de Chatou is an invitation to wonder and curiosity. More than 700 professional and enthusiastic exhibitors set up their stands to offer an incomparable selection of antiques: carved furniture, objets d’art, vintage jewellery, rare books, decorative arts, ceramics, posters and much more.

But the fair is not just about selling. It’s a real meeting place, where stories are told around an exceptional piece, experts share their knowledge and visitors discover unsuspected worlds. You can spend hours strolling around, talking, learning and, above all, finding that piece that will make all the difference to your collection or your home.

A history that blends heritage, art and tradition

The history of the Foire de Chatou dates back to the late 19th century, when craftsmen, scrap dealers and merchants gathered on the banks of the Seine to sell and trade their wares. The fair quickly became a popular venue for bargain hunters and collectors, where objects from the past were brought back to life in the hands of their new owners.

Today, this tradition lives on with pride on the Île des Impressionnistes, a natural setting that has inspired masters of painting such as Renoir and Monet. To come to the Foire de Chatou is therefore to immerse yourself in an atmosphere where art, nature and expertise come together.

A gourmet walk through the heart of the fair

The Foire de Chatou is also a tasty experience! A large part of the space is dedicated to food stalls, set up in a friendly, often country atmosphere. These include:

Local produce: mature cheeses, traditional charcuterie, jams, honeys, wines and spirits
Dishes cooked on site: aligot, tartiflette, andouillette, foie gras, oysters, cassoulet, crêpes…
Sweet treats: churros, waffles, pastries
More modern food-trucks to suit all tastes

So you can have a real lunch or snack break with the family, sheltered under the barnums or on the large open-air tables. It’s the perfect way to recharge your batteries before setting off on another treasure hunt!

News not to be missed!

This year, the Foire de Chatou will open its doors from 26 September to 5 October, in a natural setting on the banks of the Seine. The easily accessible site invites you to take a pleasant stroll between colourful stalls and gourmet catering areas, to enjoy a well-deserved break.

Practical information:

From 26 September to 5 October, 10am to 7pm
€10 per person – Free for under-15s – €7 special student rate – €6 group rate (more than 10 people)
Access to the fair via the A86 towards Saint-Germain – free on-site parking
Access to the fair via RER A, 4 stations from Charles de Gaulle-Etoile

Find out more!

After your visit to the Chatou fair...

Treat yourself to a well-deserved break in one of our restaurants, relax in one of our charming addresses, take the time to recharge your batteries and enjoy life.

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