Every first weekend in September, ever increasing numbers of people come to enjoy this great annual rendezvous of flea market fanaticism, bric a brac hunting, bargaining, and amateur salesmanship. The Braderie: a 48 hour festival of 'brocanteurs' all around the city of Lille.

The history of the Braderie flea market is not well known. It is supposed – though no documentary evidence exists - that the tradition dates from the Middle Ages, when once a year the servant classes of Lille were given permission to sell – from dusk to dawn – old clothes and objects belonging to their employers. Over the years the Braderie has changed, becoming much larger and lasting longer. But the overall free spirit of this September celebration remains. 

For two days and two nights a carnival atmosphere reigns, where everyone does as they please. Would-be merchants, casual and professional dealers mingle with householders and visitors the length of several kilometres of stalls of second hand goods, all of which, after much hard bargaining, will find a happy new owner. 
The Braderie ends on Sunday at midnight, whence the massive cleaning operation begins. Rubbish collectors gradually replace the exhausted bargain hunters, some of whom, torch in hand, still search for hidden treasure on the remaining stalls. Meanwhile, in the enormous crowd, revellers amuse themselves amidst the smells of spicy merguez sausages, mussels and chips, and bathe in all types of music until the small hours of the morning.