The Lencloître fair, a tradition over 400 years old
During the Lencloître Fair, experience a unique weekend at the Château de Picol, an elegant residence nestled in the heart of the Haut-Poitou countryside. Arrive on Sunday in the late afternoon to enjoy the charm and comfort of the estate: settle into your room, stroll through the wooded park, and dine in peace and quiet. 
Early in the morning, after a hearty homemade breakfast, set off to explore the famous Lencloître fair, a must-see event in the region, held every first Monday of the month for centuries. Between local produce, crafts, and a friendly atmosphere, let yourself be charmed by this living tradition.
A stay at Château de Picol offers a perfect blend of relaxed living, authentic experiences, and local discoveries. A perfect getaway to savor the Haut-Poitou region in a unique way!
Every first Monday of the month, Lencloître, a peaceful town in the Vienne region, transforms into a huge open-air market where conviviality and authenticity reign.
This meeting is anything but ordinary: it perpetuates a tradition that began in 1612, when the king authorized the organization of the first fairs in the village.
- En 1612The burghers of Lencloître obtained permission from the King to organize four annual fairs ; these initial dates were set for the first Monday of Lent and the feasts of Saint John, Saint Roch and Saint Simon.
- From 1782The number of fairs increased from 4 to 9 per year, then... in the 19th centuryin 12 fairs, i.e. a fair every first Monday of the month, a rhythm still in effect today.
More than four centuries laterThis local institution remains one of the most emblematic in Poitou and attracts visitors from all over the region and beyond.
More than 200 exhibitors Every month, they set up shop in the streets and on the vast square of the Champ de Foire, offering an incredible diversity of products: local fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses and cured meats, clothing, plants, antiques, tools, and even farm animals. Strolling through its aisles is to immerse oneself in a world where delicious aromas, Poitevin accents, and ancestral know-how mingle.
A true showcase of rural life and the region's dynamism, the Lencloître fair appeals to both lovers of local produce and those curious to experience authenticity. A historic and welcoming event, not to be missed during a stay in the Vienne!
Strolling through the aisles of the fair is an immersion in the Poitou way of life, amidst enticing aromas, traditional crafts, and warm encounters. Local cafes and restaurants gladly welcome visitors for a delicious break after their shopping. A true showcase of the region's agricultural and artisanal riches, the Lencloître fair is an unmissable event for lovers of local products and those curious to experience authenticity.