This collection, begun by Canon Leconte and Father J. Starcky and enriched by numerous donations, was inaugurated in 1969 by Monseigneur Haubtmann, rector of the Institut Catholique de Paris.
In 1994, it was transferred to a new location, allowing the museum to showcase all 500 cultural items from the Holy Land, from prehistoric times to the Crusades.

Due to its great popularity, it has long ceased to be made up wholely of professionals renting their stall spaces via three-year-minimum leases.
It consists of several separate markets, including the Vernaison and the Biron Markets.
In addition to the flea market, many shops selling clothing and jewellery can be found in the surrounding streets.