The camelot space, “the soul of this Nîmes fair”, always attracts the crowd

Willy is one of many street vendors who provide demonstrations and provide entertainment. Midi Libre – Pierre Meuriot

Gaëtan Bardey vous attend nombreux sur le stand de FX hot sauce. Midi Libre – Pierre Meuriot

They shout at you, but without them, the Nîmes fair would not generate the same enthusiasm… The peddlers have been back in their space since Friday February 23!

"They are the soul of this fair." It's in these terms that Pascal Settipani, organizer of the Nîmes fair, describes these traveling merchants. Since Friday and until Monday February 26, it is outside the exhibition center, under a marquee, that the vendors advise and sell products of all kinds. "Don't be afraid, come closer, come closer!"

Show guaranteed

Present again this year, the camelots space extends over an area of ​​approximately 500 m2. When you enter the marquee, the perfumes and smells of the different stands mix to create an inflamed atmosphere. Already present during the 2023 edition, the demonstration corner is increasingly successful year after year and allows visitors to find practical and sometimes unusual objects for everyday life.

For this new edition, there are around fifty "demonstrators" to put on a show with humor and good humor. Based in Perpignan, Jean-David is holding this year, and for the first time, a textile stand in the heart of the Nîmes fair."It's a beautiful place, and the people are friendly", explains the 54-year-old man, delighted with this start to the fair.

Further in the alley, Dominique tries to explain to a couple how to avoid wood chores. "This  brazier that I designed ten years ago, is capable of burning pellets directly in your fireplace, smiles l&# 39;man based in Le Mans.

"Everyone knows how to do housework"

Among the numerous visitors, whether young or old, the show pleases. "That m' occupies, says Josette, retired. I mainly come for the gastronomy part. I used to go to the Paris fair, it’s really the theater there. Today, I live near Remoulins and the fair allowed me to transform my house more than once. ;is free!"

And if some people come from further afield to attend the show, it's good that the performances are popular. "I just from&# 39;Alès discovered the new products and I am not disappointed", says Sylvie.

In the distance, a voice is heard. In front of Willy's stand, visitors laugh:  "Everyone knows how to do housework. But what we would like , is to make it appear. This cloth is more absorbent than any you know and there is no trace left , explains the 45-year-old man, in full demonstration. The secret to selling ? "I just need to tell how things were going at my place and people identify, he explains with a smile on his face. Despite inflation I haven't increased my prices for 14 years,& ;nbsp;and last year, I had my best year ever!"

Practical The Nîmes Fair, from February 23 to 26, 2024 at Parc Expo Nîmes (230, av. du Languedoc), from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Monday). Free invitation to download here (entrance on site 3 euros, free for children under 8 years old).